Mashudu Sadike and Ntombe Nkosi
Pretoria - ANC presidential hopefuls Dr Zweli Mkhize, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and Lindiwe Sisulu have reportedly teamed up to challenge President Cyril Ramaphosa’s bid for a second term.
Mkhize’s challenge for ANC presidency would have received a huge boost if ANC insiders within the party have their way; that Co-operative Governance Minister Dlamini Zuma and Tourism Minister Sisulu will abandon their campaign to support him. Sisulu would then become his deputy.
A source within the party told Independent Media that was the plan of Mkhize’s slate in the run-up to the conference.
“The slate is planning to find Dr Nkosazana (Dlamini Zuma) a position within the top six while Sisulu will deputise Mkhize. They have realised that they are stronger if they team up against Ramaphosa.
But Sisulu’s spokesperson Steve Motale dismissed the assertions, saying she was still in the running.
He said: “Minister Sisulu is still contesting for presidency, and her campaign is on track and doing extremely well. Perhaps your questions should be directed to the lobbyists of the two other contenders. They can respond adequately as they are handling everything.
“Minister Sisulu is only responsible for policy and value-based-related matters. She is currently deeply concerned about the state of the ANC.”
However, Sphiwe Blose, Mkhize’s lobbyist, said discussions and caucuses were proceeding.
“Discussions are proceeding exceedingly well with comrades across the country. The ANC leadership in KwaZulu-Natal is augmenting those engagements. At this stage, we wish to state that we are confident that at the right time, leadership will indicate progress.
“But we can state that Mkhize is the most preferred presidential candidate,” he said.
KZN’s provincial executive committee is in the forefront of Mkhize’s campaign while other provinces have backed Ramaphosa.
Mafika Mndebele, ANC KZN spokesperson said: “We have heard some people saying we were bought. It is untrue and we have witnesses that we have supported in the past.”
Mndebele said in 2007 KZN supported Jacob Zuma in spite of a sustained attack.
“He did not buy us… in 2012 we supported Zuma again, he did not give us a cent. He is our witness,” Mndebele said.
He further said in 2017, they supported Dlamini Zuma.
“She did not give us a cent yet we supported her. In 2022, we are supporting Dr Zweli Mkhize.”
At an Oliver Tambo annual lecture held at Pietermaritzburg City Hall this past weekend addressed by Mkhize, he confirmed his challenge against Ramaphosa.
He said: “This is a campaign to save state enterprises that are collapsing and those that are being privatised.
“It is a campaign to end load shedding that has crippled the economy and plunged this country into an economic crisis. This is a campaign for the upliftment of the poor people of this country, the majority who are black and Africans in particular.”
In introducing Mkhize, former ANC Women’s League president Bathabile Dlamini affirmed Mkhize’s candidacy.
Speaking in her home language, isiZulu, Dlamini said supporting Mkhize would make sure the future of South Africa was on the right track.
She said: “When we go to Nasrec we will be supporting Khabazela (a clan name of Mkhize). Mkhize is our candidate to stand for presidency of the ANC.
“The battle we are in right now is a battle for imperialists and revolutionaries. We are on the crossroads.
“If we lose this we will be suppressed once again. This battle is about our future, children, land and minerals.”
The event was organised by members of the ANC Moses Mabhida Region and attended by SACP secretary-general of Harry Gwala District Sizwe Ngcobo, Kwandile Mtsolo, ANC Youth League of KwaZulu-Natal member and former mayor of Ekurhuleni, Mzwandile Masina, who seem to be all rallying behind Mkhize.
Pretoria News