ANC Northern Cape endorse Ramaphosa and all six deputy president candidates

In the hotly contested battle for the deputy presidency, the ANC in the Northern Cape has adopted a measured stance, choosing to support all six candidates.

The Northern Cape leadership chose to nominate all six contenders for the second-most influential position in the party ahead of the national conference in December at its provincial executive committee (PEC) meeting on Friday rather than choosing just one.

The PEC states that branches must choose from David Mabuza, the current treasurer general, Paul Mashatile, cabinet ministers Mamoloko Kubayi, Ronald Lamola, and Senzo Mchunu, as well as Oscar Mabuyane, the premier and chair of the Eastern Cape.

But the PEC has decided to support Cyril Ramaphosa’s bid for re-election as president.

According to provincial secretary Deshi Ngxanga, “this was as a result of the president’s pledge to reinvigorate and reposition the ANC as an agent for change capable of improving the quality of life of all South Africans.”

After Limpopo, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, and North West endorsed Ramaphosa for reelection, Northern Cape effectively joins them as the sixth province to do so.

The PEC has only nominated Gwede Mantashe for re-election as national chairperson, but has also put forward Gwen Ramokgopa, Fikile Mbalula, and Febe Potgieter for the role of secretary-general.

For the job of deputy secretary, Potgieter is included alongside Maropene Ramokgopa, Vuyiswa Tulelo, and other candidates.

Along with Lamola, the province has selected Limpopo chair Stan Mathabatha as its preferred treasurer.

The PEC decided that rather than endorsing any particular slate, it would provide the ANC branches with a list of potential candidates from which they may select. The acceptability of the names must be thoroughly and openly discussed by the ANC branches at their Branch General Meetings.

The important strategic job of renewing and repositioning the ANC will serve as the basis for these conversations, according to Ngxanga.

The branches are free to suggest any alternative names; the names are merely suggestions to help with the process and are not offered in any particular order of priority.

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