Lungani Zungu
Former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede and President Cyril Ramaphosa’s loyal backer, Thabani Nyawose, are in a struggle for the ANC’s biggest region – and it has implications for the entire country.
Gumede and Nyawose are both vying for the position of regional chairperson of the eThekwini region.
Gumede’s running mate is Durban-based businessman Musa Nciki, who is eyeing the position of secretary, a position that was previously held by Bheki Ntuli.
And the clock is ticking. ANC provincial secretary Mdumiseni Ntuli announced that all regions must hold their elective conferences before the end of June as the ruling party has to conclude its candidates list for the upcoming local government election on 27 October.
Ntuli said Gumede will be allowed to run for any position if the branches nominated her, although she is facing corruption and fraud charges.
Scrolla.Africa understands that many branches have held their branch general meetings (BGMs).
If Gumede wins, it will be a big blow for Ramaphosa should he decide to run for re-election as party president next year. But if Nyawose is elected, it will bolster Ramaphosa’s presidential ambitions.
Ramaphosa needs big regions like eThekwini to back him in the highly-anticipated ANC 55th elective conference next year in December.
Gumede is a well-known close ally of former president Jacob Zuma and the suspended ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule.
The leadership race in the Moses Mabhida region in Pietermaritzburg, a strong Zuma support base, has pitted comrades against each other.
The former MEC for Education Mthandeni Dlungwana and Mzi Zuma, former allies-turned-enemies are contesting the position of regional chairperson. Both are strong Zuma-loyal backers.
Ramaphosa will be happy that Zamani Saul, the Northern Cape premier and party chairperson was re-elected unopposed, an indication that the president has a tight grip in the Northern Cape.
But the president will be watching all the conferences in KZN with a keen interest, as it is an influential ANC province when it comes to party conferences.
Image source: @nyawose_thabani & @ZandileGumedeRT
