Johannesburg - The race for the leadership of the ANC is gaining momentum amid reports that Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma is set to challenge President Cyril Ramaphosa.
This will be the second time that Dlamini Zuma challenges Ramaphosa. She challenged him and was defeated by a small margin during the 54th national conference of the ANC in 2017 at Nasrec, Joburg.
Following the announcement that Ramaphosa had won the race, there were reports of alleged corruption in the form of bribery of delegates but it was never confirmed.
Over the next few months the ANC will work toward nominating contenders who will be elected in the national conference to take place on December 16. The victorious leaders will guide the party during the 2024 national elections and beyond.
For any of the contenders to emerge victorious, they will need a bulk of 4 722 votes in the national conference.
According to a Sunday newspaper yesterday, it had been confirmed that Dlamini Zuma had been asked by some branches to contest for the post and it was reported that she had agreed to avail herself.
It is also reported that she has the backing of some prominent political figures including former president Jacob Zuma.
The ANC executive in KwaZulu-Natal has not pronounced itself as to whom it is backing for the top position.
On the other hand it is not clear yet whether Ramaphosa will be contested, though it is clear that he is seeking a second term to lead the party and a number of provinces including Limpopo had publicly confirmed their support for him.
Ramaphosa had over the years tried to maintain a clean image until earlier this year when the skeleton of the Phala Phala scandal reared its ugly head.
Ramaphosa failed to report a robbery that took place at his Phala Phala Farm in Limpopo to law-enforcement agencies, and had allegedly taken the law into his own hands using state institutions such as the SAPS to deal with the alleged thieves.
He is currently being investigated by the Public Protector, SA Reserve Bank and the Hawks.
Political analyst Professor Sipho Seepe weighed in on some candidates who are showing interest for the top position in the party.
“First, as in the past we shouldn't be surprised by an increase in the number of possible contenders. The ANC does not run short of leaders.
“Second, Dlamini Zuma lost by a whisker in the last contest. This makes her a formidable contender. She was by far the most credible contender to Ramaphosa than any other candidate. She can count on that support,” Seepe said.
He further said: “Since losing to Ramaphosa she behaved in a most disciplined manner. She accepted the outcome with humility. She did not sulk but went on to work with the victorious Ramaphosa in a supportive manner. Some hold this against her. A true democrat accepts the outcomes. The above notwithstanding it might prove difficult to rally the same forces she had the first time around.”
Seepe said there was no question with regard to her standing. She had a better set of ideas of taking the country forward than the current leadership.
“Unlike before, Ramaphosa’s halo has been shattered. The country has never been more directionless on every front,” Seepe said.
Attempts last night to contact spokespersons for Dlamini Zuma and Ramaphosa proved fruitless.
The Star