Several from East Cape up for NEC spots :
SEVERAL Eastern Cape politicians including premier Phumulo Masualle, former ANCYL leader Ayanda Matiti and former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas stand a chance to serve in the ANC’s 80-member national executive committee (NEC) which is likely to be announced today.
All made the cut for the final nomination for the NEC in a list presented by the Elections Agency. The NEC elections follow after the election of the top six, now led by Cyril Ramaphosa.
The NEC list features several Eastern Cape figures whose names were punted by the two camps of Ramaphosa and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who failed to be elected ANC president.
Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula appeared at No 7, high up compared to any other Eastern Cape nominee.
Mapisa-Nqakula appears set for a return, having consistently been in the NEC since the Thabo Mbeki presidency.
She is followed by Ramaphosa-backer Enoch Godongwana at 32, while Deputy Minister Pam Tshwete represents the Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma camp at 43rd place.
Other Eastern Cape backers of Ramaphosa in the running include Deputy Minister Stella Abrahams-Ndabeni, Lindiwe Sisulu, Cogta MEC Fikile Xasa and Rural Development and Agrarian Reform Minister Gugile Nkwinti.
Former OR Tambo regional secretary and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma lobbyist Jackson Sabona confirmed that they had fielded Masualle, provincial Treasury MEC Sakhumzi Somyo, Beauty Dlulane, Tshwete, Social Development MEC Nancy Sihlwayi, former Amathole district mayor Nomasikizi Konza, Mike Peter and Dingaan Myolwa.
Rural Development MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane also made the cut, appearing at 85, and will be hoping to redeem his party politics career after his failed bid to be elected to the ANC EC provincial executive committee (PEC).
Nelson Mandela Bay Metro councillor and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma campaigner Andile Lungisa declined nomination.
“I appreciate the confidence shown in me. I will go back to the Eastern Cape as an ordinary member and volunteer of the ANC,” Lungisa posted on his Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Attempts to contact him proved fruitless.