W Cape ANC looks set to back Cyril
120 regional branches yet to nominate candidate
SIMMERING tensions and administrative stumbling blocks in the ANC Western Cape have again delayed its nominations process for top national leaders. Sources, however, say the province is squarely behind Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa who is leading the pack in some regions.
Faiez Jacobs, provincial secretary, said 60 branches in the province had concluded their nomination process, but a further 120 branches are yet to complete their branch general meetings (BGMs) and then its nomination process.
“We are working steadily to complete the process. More BGMs will take place in the week and this coming weekend. Wherever there are disputes we will follow the process as needs be,” he said.
At the nominations process in ward 52 in Langa, the contestation got heated. Jacobs said he is aware of the reports from the area.
“We will investigate what happened there and follow the process when a dispute arises,” he said.
About 15 branches in the Southern Cape region have nominated Ramaphosa for the position of president.
Branches in the Overberg region, though not finalised as yet, are also in support of Ramaphosa, sources said.
Branches in the Central Karoo are yet to pronounce on their candidate. In the West Coast, BGMs were held in Vanrhynsdorp, Matzikima, Citrusdal, Lingulethu (Malmesbury) and Porterville, regional spokesperson Sammy Claasen said.
The region has 13 branches, of which eight are likely to support Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and the remaining five for Ramaphosa, sources in the region said.
There are also supporters of Dlamini Zuma in the Cape Metro region. At least one branch in the Metro, the Gaby Shapiro Branch in the Southern Suburbs, have nominated Ramaphosa as president and Minister of Human Settlements, Lindiwe Sisulu, as his deputy.
Ramaphosa enjoys the majority of ANC support in the province and the provincial executive committee is rumoured to be largely behind him.
In the Cape Winelands, some of the BGMs could not go ahead following administrative issues at various wards.
Pat Marran, regional chairperson, said branch general meetings had to be held before any nominations could be made.
“But that did not happen (at the weekend). There were also problems in Drakenstein and Breede River Valley.
“The other challenge was that branches had to be in good standing and, for a branch to receive that status, it needs to have 100 members and elected officials. As things stand now, I cannot tell you which candidate the branches nominated for the various top positions. We will be having another round of BGMs this week,” he said.
Gwede Mantashe, ANC secretary-general, has said 182 branch delegates from the Western Cape will be voting at the national conference in December.