Zukile Majova
Former North West premier Supra Mahumapelo has emerged as a serious presidential candidate for the anti-Cyril Ramaphosa faction of the ANC.
Up until now it has not been clear who will lead the campaign of the Radical Economic Transformation (RET) faction, which is largely based around loyalty towards former president Jacob Zuma.
The faction is also home to ANC leaders who have been implicated in wrongdoing and claim the Ramaphosa regime is using state resources to settle political scores.
Mahumapelo could have been elected chairperson of the ANC in North West, a position that would almost guarantee his ascendance to the premiership of the province.
But after consultation with his faction, which assured him full support for his campaign for the ANC top job, Mahumapelo pulled out of the political contest in the province.
If he doesn’t go for the ANC top job, Mahumapelo is at the very least hoping to make it onto the ANC Top Six.
“There are branches that said ‘don’t stand so that we can nominate you for national. If you stand here and you stand again for national, you will appear like a person who is just after positions’.
“So one has to think carefully about some of these things because how you come across in society as a leader is very key.”
He said he threw his weight behind the slate that was led by former human settlements MEC Nono Maloyi, who was elected provincial chairperson.
The elective conference held in Rustenburg also elected Lazzy Mokgosi as the deputy chairperson, Louis Diremelo as provincial secretary, Viola Motsumi as deputy secretary and Sello Monotho Lehari as provincial treasurer.
Other candidates that the Zuma camp want to contest the ANC Top Six include Tourism Minister
Lindiwe Sisulu, former Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane, suspended ANC secretary Ace Magashule, former health minister Zweli Mkhize and former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede.
To achieve its plan to unseat Ramaphosa, the RET forces must win a review of the step aside rule to allow leaders who have not been found guilty in court to contest leadership positions.
The Free State provincial conference set for September is the next major battleground in the tussle for control of the ANC.
Image source:@niehaus_carl
