Visit seen as a blow to Ramaphosa

Human Settlements Minister and presidential hopeful Lindiwe Sisulu is taking her campaign to replace President Jacob Zuma to another level.

Sisulu, who has already been nominated by some branches in the Eastern Cape, is expected to traverse the Mopani area in Limpopo, where she will be a guest speaker at an event organised under the guise of a Women’s Month celebration in Mohlabaneng village, Bolobedu.

The visit would be a blow to Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa who has also entered the ANC leadership race because the province has always been considered his stronghold.

Mopani is the only region in Limpopo split between Ramaphosa and former African Union Commission chairwoman Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. It is also the largest region in the province in terms of membership.

Sisulu’s visit comes at the time when it is struggling to hold its regional conference amid allegations of improper misrepresentation of membership and political infightings.

Sisulu’s chief lobbyist in Limpopo, Mochidi Sape, claimed yesterday that all branches in Mopani would attend the event.

“We are fully behind comrade Sisulu,” Sape said. “We are supporting her because of her struggle credentials and the discipline she has displayed over the years.”

Meanwhile, there are murmurings that the ANC Johannesburg region, which is the biggest and most influential in Gauteng, is backing Sisulu.

Spokesman Jolidee Matongo said branches were still discussing names and would nominate their preferred candidate when the nomination period starts next month.