Dube throws hat into race to lead ANC
Many contenders vie to replace DD as chairman
Former ANC Mpumalanga deputy chairman David Dube, who led the ANC when chairman David Mabuza was sick for more than three months, has raised his hand to succeed him.
Dube joins eight other Mpumalanga ANC leaders who are lobbying to be elected provincial chairman after Mabuza was elected deputy president of the ANC at Nasrec in December.
A provincial general council is supposed to be held in April in Mpumalanga to elect a new chairman and deputy as Violet Siwela was also elected to serve in the governing party’s national executive committee.
Mabuza had been ANC provincial chairman since 2008 and had not been contested when conferences were held.
Speaking to the media in Mbombela yesterday, the spokesman for Dube’s campaign, Sello Shai, said branches had approached Dube and he was available to lead the ANC in Mpumalanga.
Though there were other candidates, Shai said Dube’s campaign, dubbed “DDD18”, would be about unity (in the party).
“Dube has a traceable track record leading the party,” he said.
“He is here to unite the ANC along with its alliance [partners] and also work on organisational renewal.
“We trust that as one person who has been deputy chairperson of the ANC, he knows the ways of the province,” said Shai.
Meanwhile, Lassy Chiwayo, a former Robben Islander and former mayor of the Mbombela local municipality, said he was also approached to lead the (party in the) province.
However, he was considering if the call is clear.
“Now that the owl’s spirits have descended on Mpumalanga, people are able to contest without fear of victimisation. I would love to be part of the province I worked hard for,” said Chiwayo.
“I have been approached by a number of branches across the province and I’m considering that and, when the right time comes, I will tell if I’m available.”
‘‘ Dube has traceable track record leading the party gfhfh gfh gf hgf h
still