PHUTI MOSOMANE
IT’S official. Former health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize is set to challenge incumbent Cyril Ramaphosa for the position of ANC president.
This follows a dramatic conclusion of the nomination of Top 7 officials on Sunday morning at Nasrec, south of Johannesburg.
Irate supporters of Ramaphosa and Mkhize almost came to blows after complaints about counting methods of nominations from the floor and the handling of the entire nomination process by election officials.
Anti-Ramaphosa supporters were the most vocal of the two groups, and at one stage attempted to storm the stage, singing and chanting “Change! Change! Change!”
For the position of Deputy President, delegates are expected to choose between outgoing Treasurer-General Paul Mashatile, Justice Minister Ronald Lamola and Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane.
David Mabuza declined nomination from the floor for the position of Deputy President.
Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe, Limpopo Premier Stan Mathabatha and Deputy Minister of Finance David Masondo are poised to contest for the position of National Chairperson.
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula, former KwaZulu-Natal provincial secretary Mdumiseni Ntuli and Deputy of Minister of Public Enterprises Phumulo Masualle will contest for the position of Secretary-General.
ANC NEC member Nomvula Mokonyane and chairperson of police portfolio committee Tina Joemat-Pieterson are vying for the position of first deputy secretary-general.
Maropene Ramokgopa and Ronalda Nalumango will contest for the position of second deputy secretary-general.
On Saturday, ANC conference adopted a Constitutional amendment which allows for the second deputy secretary-general.
The amendment was supported by Ramaphosa faction, and opposed by Mkhize supporters.
Bejani Chauke, Pule Mabe, Mzwandile Masina and Gwen Ramokgopa will contest for the position of Treasurer-General.
ANC NEC member and Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu failed to meet the required 25% threshold to be nominated from the floor for the position of Treasurer-General.
Voting for the ANC’s top 7 position is expected to start at 9am on Sunday.
Final ANC nominations|
President: Cyril Ramaphosa, Zweli Mkhize
Deputy president: Ronald Lamola, Oscar Mabuyane and Paul Mashatile
Chairperson: Gwede Mantashe, David Masondo and Stanley Mathabatha
Secretary-general: Mdumiseni Ntuli, Phumulo Masualle and Fikile Mbalula
First deputy secretary-general: Nomvula Mokonyane and Tina Joemat-Pieterson
Second deputy secretary-general: Maropene Ramokgopa and Ronalda Nalumango
Treasurer-general: Bejani Chauke, Pule Mabe, Mzwandile Masina and Gwen Ramokgopa
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