Unity in the ANC a bridge too far

As the ANC elective conference fast approaches, it is difficult to imagine a peaceful and smooth transition of power from the current Jacob Zuma cabal to a freely elected successor. Not if one considers the scale and magnitude of entrenched interests and patronage that infest the incumbent leadership faction, as well as those vying for power.

According to the numbers, Cyril Ramaphosa is the clear favourite heading into the conference, edging out Zuma ally Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

At the weekend, the ANC in Gauteng extended Ramaphosa’s lead in terms of branch nominations, with Nkosazana-Zuma receiving 64 nominations to Ramaphosa’s 374. Gauteng will bring the sixth-largest number of branch members to the national conference, with 508 delegates. KwaZulu-Natal, the biggest in terms of ANC membership numbers, is expected to conclude its provincial general council tomorrow.

However, so far it is looking good for Ramaphosa. Sadly though, this is not going according to script for the Zuma faction, whose end-game would be to see Dlamini-Zuma take over the presidency of both the ANC, as well as the country.

So, can we expect democracy to prevail and the losers graciously accept defeat? Not bloody likely.

According to ANC sources in Gauteng and Limpopo, there are already plans afoot by the Dlamini-Zuma camp to “drown” the elective conference and effectively derail it with disruptive queries about the credentials of conference attendees and voting delegates.

Ultimately, those who wish to block Ramaphosa’s election want see the conference end in dispute.

It is clear that unity remains elusive for the damaged and morally bankrupt ANC. No matter how much has been debated about the party’s need to self-correct, it seems that is a bridge too far.

Perhaps this will be the ultimate test of the country’s democracy and its willingness to pursue and preserve political freedom.