Ramaphosa consolidates ANC support
JOHANNESBURG – President Cyril Ramaphosa’s bid for a second term as ANC president is gaining momentum, with key pieces falling into place at the party’s regional and provincial conferences.
However, both his supporters and potential contenders are cautioning that it is still way too early to make a call.
Crucial
At least three provinces have been identified as crucial for any presidential contender to consolidate, namely KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and the Eastern Cape, which rank as the three biggest provinces, respectively, in terms of ANC membership numbers.
Ramaphosa’s most serious challenge is former Health Minister Zweli Mkhize whose ground forces have been hard at work in the party’s regions, while his senior lieutenants have been negotiating alliances with other senior leaders who have an eye on top-six positions.
Transformation
His team has been working on the so-called radical economic transformation forces, who are determined to make Ramaphosa a one-term president. Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu’s presidential ambitions are seen as fanciful by ANC insiders, and she will most likely have to make a deal for a top-six position. Deputy President David Mabuza’s supporters seem to be keeping their powder dry and it is not clear what positions he intends to contest. A mysterious figure lurking in the shadows is Treasurer General Paul Mashatile, who is currently running Luthuli House in the absence of corruption-accused Secretary General Ace Magashule and his unwell deputy, Jessie Duarte. Mashatile has not shown support for any camp, fuelling speculation that he may be interested in the top job himself.
Boost
The president’s campaigners are feeling bullish, following the re-election of Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane as provincial ANC chairperson earlier last week. Limpopo had already offered a psychological boost when Premier Stanley Mathabatha endorsed Ramaphosa during the party’s January 8 anniversary celebration – but others in the province distanced themselves from his remarks and said he was only expressing his personal opinion.
In KwaZulu-Natal, eThekwini – the party’s biggest region in the country – has been won by Ramaphosa’s ANC rivals, who also count at least eight other regions as in the bag. “It is still too early to call it, but the processes so far have been such that they consolidate his position as number one,’’ said a Ramaphosa lobbyist, adding that, with the election outcomes from the Eastern Cape, “I don’t see any other potential contestant entering the race.”