THE ANC succession battle got into high gear on Tuesday when KwaZulu-Natal, the ANC’s largest province in terms of membership, officially endorsed Dr Zweli Mkhize to challenge President Cyril Ramaphosa for the position of President at the party’s 55th national conference in December.
The province made the pronouncement on Tuesday after an “intense and robust special executive committee (PEC) meeting that ended on Monday night to consolidate nominations, with the majority of branches and at least nine regional leaders unanimously backing the former health minister as their man for the top job.
The decision by KZN ANC to support Mkhize for president poses a real threat to Ramaphosa’s second term bid.
KZN ANC provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo said the province will support Paul Mashatile, who is currently serving as the acting secretary-general of the party due to the suspension of Ace Magashule, for the position of Deputy President.
The province also backed ANC Limpopo chairperson Stan Mathabatha as National Chairperson, ANC NEC member Phumulo Masualle as Secretary-General and NEC member Nomvula Mokonyane as Deputy Secretary-General.
“The PEC has been mandated by branches throughout the province who are proposing to support Dr Mkhize for president and deputy Paul Mashatile, national chairperson is Stanley Mathabatha, Phumulo Masualle, former Eastern Cape provincial chairperson, as secretary-general, Nomvula Mokonyane as Deputy Secretary-General, while the Treasurer General will be a woman who is young and energetic,” Mtolo said.
“The Festival of Ideas last week recognised that leaders of the movement are elected by branches. We reiterate the position that there has been deep reflection of the journey since Nasrec 2017. Leadership is central, and the outcomes are linked to a democratic process, which allowed ANC branches to discuss national leadership from the provinces.”
Mtolo indicated that these positions were not cast in stone and KZN ANC was still open for persuasion from other provincial structures who might suggest different candidates.
“These nominations are not cast in stone. We are not fixated and are open to persuasion and can be persuaded. This gives us a basis to start formal engagements with other provinces. We assure all ANC members in KZN that we will go to these engagements with an open mind and agree and accept what is best for the ANC,” Mtolo said.
Mtolo said Mkhize emerged as the favourite candidate in the province despite being implicated in an improperly awarded contract the Department of Health awarded to Digital Vibes – a business run by close associates of his.
An extensive network of family and friends benefited in the contract that cost the state an estimated R150 million.
“Comrade Zweli Mkhize is not charged. He is not under investigation,” said Mtolo.
KZN will send 819 of the more than 4,000 delegates to the national elective conference.
Securing support from the province, which has 136,267 members, is crucial for any candidate for a national leadership position come December.
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