ANC worried over decline in votes

THE ANC’s slide in the national elections — dropping to 62.15% from the 65.9% it received in 2009 — will result in a two-day brainstorm session to discuss its decline.

With the party losing support in all provinces but KwaZulu-Natal, ANC head of organising and Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane said the ruling party would have an indaba on the matter.

“In the same vein that we are concerned about the Western Cape, we should also do a serious reflection on Gauteng.

“It is a very strategic province, which is key for the country, and you can’t claim to be in charge of the country without having Gauteng,” she said.

The ANC’s majority in Gauteng was reduced to just more than 53% from the 64% it received in 2009.

“Any vote that we lose is a source of concern, and the other thing [of concern] is the emergence of smaller parties and people opting to follow those smaller parties.

“I think we could have done better [in Gauteng]. It’s not a comfortable majority.”

However, last night President Jacob Zuma hailed the ANC’s national election victory, saying that the electorate had “spoken eloquently on which party should govern”.

The ANC won 249 seats out of the 400 available in the National Assembly.

The party will also form governments in eight provinces with the Western Cape remaining in DA hands.

“This election victory has re-confirmed just how deeply rooted the ANC is in the hearts and minds of the overwhelming majority of South Africans.

“We read this . . . to be a strong sign of approval of the good work that we have done in the past 20 years in general and the last five years in particular, in building a better life for all,” said Zuma.

He also promised the ANC would continue to champion pro-poor policies.

“We will use this victory to continue delivering water, electricity, roads, schools, clinics, good schools and all amenities that enable our people to live in decent human settlements, in both urban and rural areas,” said Zuma.

Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters have replaced the Congress of the People as the country’s thirdlargest party — winning 25 seats in parliament.

Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane will present a report to the ANC this week on how Zuma’s second-term cabinet should look.

Among the suggestions expected to be contained in Chabane’s report is the merger of the Social Development Department with the Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities.

With the National Development Plan already adopted as the government’s road map, the Ministry of Planning will be phased out.

There is also a proposal that Zuma should collapse the Arts and Culture Ministry into sports and recreation as part of attempts to have a leaner cabinet.

Zuma’s current executive

comprises 34 ministers and 33 deputies.

The ANC will meet on Tuesday to discuss guidelines that should be followed when the president chooses his next cabinet.

ANC deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa will chair the deployment committee meeting.

“It’s still early to say who is going where, but the deployment committee should come out with a clear indication of things to come,” said an ANC national executive committee member close to the process.

The committee will also consider the criteria to be followed when the party chooses its candidates for premiership in the eight provinces it controls.

Gauteng’s Mokonyane seems a shoo-in to retain her position, however, Noxolo Kiviet is unlikely to return as premier of the Eastern Cape.

Thandi Modise in the North West is not favoured by the ANC leadership in the province and Zuma is expected to reward provincial chairman Supra Mahumapelo.

“Supra has delivered the elections in North West and so has Ace [Magashule] in the Free State and DD Mabuza in Mpumalanga.

“How can Zuma not appoint them as premiers . . . unless he appoints one of them to the cabinet,” said a national executive committee member.