Mkhize finally shows his hand to lead ANC
He joins the race to challenge for ‘number one’ spot
Zweli Mkhize’s late coming into the ANC presidential race was informed by being left out of the lists by other presidential hopefuls.
Sowetan understands that his supporters approached him after it became clear that deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa may consider working with Lindiwe Sisulu as his deputy.
The other blow for him came when secretary-general Gwede Mantashe announced that ANC members would not accept the positions of president and deputy president being occupied by men only.
Yesterday, Mkhize confirmed that he has been approached by several leaders as well as ordinary ANC members who wanted to nominate him as soon as the nomination process for leadership opens.
“I will accept nomination, even for [the] number one spot,” Mkhize said.
Mkhize’s lobbyists told Sowetan that he would be open to work with other candidates.
One lobbyist said there was no policy in the ANC that the party presidency must be occupied by a man and a woman, therefore, Ramaphosa and Mkhize may end up working together.
So far there are seven candidates who want to succeed president Jacob Zuma. They include Jeff Radebe, Lindiwe Sisulu, Nkosazana DlaminiZuma and Baleka Mbete.
When asked about how the ANC would unite if it had so many candidates vying for the presidency, Mkhize said he hoped all candidates wanted to bring unity in the organisation and in leadership.
“We do not want a situation similar to the Polokwane conference where there was so much hostility and a split after the conference.” he said.
Mkhize’s comments come as ANC councillors are being killed in some provinces, with KwaZulu-Natal having the highest hits. “The killings are a sad development and we are losing young people,” he said.
“There is a need to identify and stop warring groups within the communities.”