Johannesburg - Zweli Mkhize now has two very powerful blocs endorsing his candidacy to become president of the ANC.
Yesterday, the ANC Youth League task team (NYTT) gave him thumbs-up and the biggest delegation heading to Nasrec, KwaZulu-Natal, also supported his push to become party leader.
The task team said in a statement that they deliberated on the type of leader they thought should be elected and during the deliberations they agreed that they needed leadership that will harness the potential of the youth in the country.
“We need a leadership that will end load shedding, which has crippled the economy, ensure access to land and transform the financial sector for the benefit of young people and indigenous people,” said the task team.
The team further stated that they needed a leader who would work with the collective, alliance partners and all youth structures to bring back the party’s old culture of not making anyone feel as though they are alienated.
The NYTT wants current treasurer-general Paul Mashatile to be party deputy and chose Limpopo provincial chairperson Stan Mathabatha to take on the national chairperson position.
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula would become secretary-general and Nomvula Mokonyane must deputise for him, according to the NYTT. The current national party spokesperson Pule Mabe is touted for treasurer-general position.
At a press briefing KZN ANC provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo said Mkhize was a well respected leader in the organisation and should not be cocooned into one province.
This comes as the province earlier this year threw its weight behind the former health minister, saying Mkhize had been a leader in the National Executive Committee (NEC) since 2002.
“He has been a national leader and must not be reduced to KZN only,” said Mtolo.
He said Mkhize had contacts and respect from various provinces because of his long service in ANC leadership.
Mtolo stressed the importance of the league’s nomination of Mkhize and how significant this was.
“By the way the first province to nominate him is not KwaZulu-Natal, it is the ANC Youth league. Imagine the ANC Youth League. It didn’t nominate anyone else but Zweli Mkhize,” added Mtolo.
He said all structures of the league were there and not only the national task team, but provincial representatives also voted in a secret ballot.
The Star