It’s not ANC tradition, says Zuma
Deputy does not ascend to highest office
PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma yesterday gave his first hint he does not back his deputy Cyril Ramaphosa to succeed him when he told SABC radio it was not ANC policy for a deputy to ascend to the highest office.
Speaking to Motsweding FM‚ Lesedi FM‚ and Thobela FM last night‚ Zuma said it was not true that an ANC culture existed where a deputy must become president.
Although Zuma was responding to a question from a listener‚ he appeared to be punting outgoing AU Commission chairwoman Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, saying she had joined the struggle before marrying him.
He also listed her leadership achievements‚ including being a cabinet minister.
Zuma also told the stations he would not seek a third term‚ saying there was an agreement within the party to avoid the creation of two centres of power.
“I am not going to accept it [nomination for presidency]. I have done my two terms. This is the understanding that emerged within the ANC … we generally had an understanding that it will not be good to create two centres [of power] … it’s an understanding that you need the ANC to operate smoothly.”
Zuma said the argument that it was ANC tradition for a deputy to become president was used to “motivate” for a candidate.
“Anyone who is nominated can contest. There is no policy.
“It’s not true that it’s a tradition‚” said Zuma said.
The president said it was a coincidence that former presidents Oliver Tambo‚ Nelson Mandela and Mbeki were succeeded by their deputies: “I’m saying it’s not a policy and not an accepted tradition as such. It’s a statement that people just make not because it’s true.”
However‚ Zuma’s supporters used the same argument when they campaigned for him in 2007.
Although Zuma was responding to questions from the interviewer‚ his responses appear to be a response to party secretary-general Gwede Mantashe, who on Wednesday told reporters that when the party elected a deputy it should have succession in mind.
Mantashe’s statement was widely interpreted as an endorsement of Ramaphosa’s campaign to become president.
Ramaphosa’s backers‚ including Cosatu‚ have argued that it was ANC tradition for a deputy to rise to the highest office.
They used the Polokwane example‚ where Zuma‚ who was then ANC deputy president‚ succeeded Mbeki.
But Zuma said yesterday “it was an accident of history” that deputies became presidents.
In what could be another jibe at Mantashe‚ Zuma said: “Sometimes comrades who are in the leadership have been making comments, which makes it difficult [to expect ordinary members to toe the line] … those who are senior we are saying this is not the time‚” he said.
Within ANC circles‚ Zuma is believed to prefer Dlamini-Zuma to succeed him. He repeated a statement he made on Wednesday that the party was ready for a woman president.
“In the ANC that is no longer the issue. It has been accepted that [women] can hold senior positions.” — TMG