Mpumalanga premier David Mabuza on Sunday pledged never to disappoint as a leader after being elected unopposed as the ANC provincial chairperson.
Mabuza thanked delegates attending the three-day elective conference for showing confidence in the elected provincial executive committee (PEC), said the ANC provincial spokesperson Paul Mbenyane.
Speaking on discipline and unity, Mabuza cautioned PEC members to respect the people that elected them.
The task in moving forward would be to engage with party structures and the alliance, he said.
The top six leaders were elected on Saturday uncontested with Mabuza remaining at the helm.
It had been widely speculated that the provincial minister of health Clifford Mkasi would stand against him, but he withdrew from the race.
Mabuza — reportedly a close ally of Zuma — received overwhelming support during the ANC regional conferences, with four regions showing their support for him.
It is believed that Mabuza’s victory could indicate how the province would vote at the ANC elective conference in December.
Mabuza vowed that he would not reshuffle his cabinet to remove those who had not supported him for re-election.
His re-election came amidst criticism of his leadership by the ANC Youth League and the South African Communist Party.
Mabuza’s detractors have repeatedly complained about widespread corruption, divisions within the ANC and political infighting.
Mabuza is also accused of failing to deal with numerous political assassinations in the province while he has held office.
Over 1 000 ANC members attended the conference.
Mbenyane said except for the heckling of the deputy provincial chairperson Charles Mabula on Friday, things went smoothly from then onwards.
“It was a resounding conference,” he said. — Sapa