Dlamini-Zuma wins Durban support

SHE may have clashed with Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma in the past, but newly elected ANC eThekwini chairwoman Zandile Gumede has given the clearest indication yet that the powerful region will back the African Union head as South Africa’s next president.

“Woman premier, woman president — whatever the challenge, we are ready,” she told the Sunday Times.

Gumede is aligned with the faction led by ANC KwaZulu-Natal chairman Sihle Zikalala, which is supporting Dlamini-Zuma’s campaign.

Early in 2013, Dlamini-Zuma submitted a report into events leading up to the 2011 local government elections in which she recommended that Gumede, among others, be removed as a councillor.

This followed serious allegations including murder, meddling in the list process and her election as a councillor in an area in which she did not live.

Gumede said a subsequent ANC team led by provincial deputy chair Willies Mchunu and national executive committee member Joe Phaahla later found that the allegations against her were unfounded.

“I must admit that a long time ago I had fled Maoti, my ward, and rented a flat in Phoenix,” said Gumede.

“I was extremely victimised and was nearly killed but people elected me and said they wanted me . . . Yes, there were challenges but I was later exonerated from all the allegations in the Nkosazana report.”

Gumede is now in charge of the ANC’s biggest and most influential region. She replaced her rival, mayor James Nxumalo, who withdrew from the leadership race two weeks ago. His supporters alleged that the process had been manipulated to favour her.

Gumede is a veteran councillor in eThekwini, with a seat on the powerful executive committee. She also chairs the health, safety and social services committee.

Her election makes her eligible to become the Metro’s mayor after next year’s local government election.