NELSON MANDELA, deeply concerned about the state of the ANC's finances, is understood to have nominated businessman and leader of the senate Dr Sam Motsuenyane for the post of treasurer general.
Motsuenyane's name and that of Henry Makgothi were circulated ahead of voting for the top six positions in the executive at the ANC's national conference. However, ANC chief whip the Rev Arnold Stofile was eventually elected unopposed, delegates being told that "two other candidates" had withdrawn.
With foreign funding evaporating and a membership system that secretary general Cyril Ramaphosa says has failed to work, the ANC faces a lean time in a year when it will have to mount a multimillion rand campaign for local government elections.
Mandela's backing for Motsuenyane as treasurer general indicates a desire for the post to be held by someone with financial expertise, rather than being a political appointment.