Deciding on a Gauteng premier is likely to be a nerve-racking process, writes Wally Mbhele
TWO candidates are tied in a neck-and-neck challenge for the premiership of Gauteng – and the final outcome is expected this weekend at a meeting of the leaders of the province’s African National Congress and its alliance partners.
Arriving at the decision is expected to be a nerve-racking exercise. Following a week of intense lobbying, four contenders have emerged to fill Tokyo Sexwale’s shoes, and all of them fit the leadership criteria laid down by a nominations task team appointed by the Gauteng ANC.
The task team’s work will be made more difficult as it hopes to reach a decision through consensus. It has no mechanism to deal with a difference of opinion.
The frontrunners – though not officially named – are the Gauteng ANC deputy chairman, Mathole Motshekga, MEC for Health Amos Masondo, MEC for Public Transport and Roads Paul Mashatile and either Deputy President Thabo Mbeki’s adviser, Reverend Frank Chikane, or MEC for Finance Jabu Moleketi as the fourth candidate.
Nominations at branch level kicked off last week with Masondo gaining an early lead as central Johannesburg branches threw their weight behind the former trade union activist. The South African Communist Party had already made public its intention to nominate him as their sole candidate.
However, by close of nominations on Tuesday afternoon, Motshekga had marshalled enough support to leave rivals green with envy.
Paving the way for Motshekga’s challenge were branches in Pretoria, his hometown and base, followed by massive support on the East Rand and the Vaal Triangle. By the time the always unpredictable ANCYouth League secured him another nomination, Motshekga looked like a sure thing. He is now reported to be neck-and-neck with Masondo.
The task team’s leader, Gauteng ANC deputy provincial secretary Obed Bapela, refused to divulge names of the candidates.
But the Mail & Guardian understands that both Moleketi and Chikane had been nominated by the West Rand. Mashatile’s support is as yet undetermined. National Union of Mineworkers general secretary Kgalema Motlanthe declined a nomination by the Kayalami branch.
What makes the race particularly fascinating is that this is not the first time Masondo and Motshekga have battled each other for a political position. At the ANC’s last provincial conference, they contested the position for deputy chairmanship -and Motshekga won.
As a former trade unionist and a staunch communist, Masondo will have to rely on both the backing of Cosatu and the SACP if the going really gets tough.
Mashatile may yet surprise his rivals, according to informed Gauteng tipsters. The charismatic 36-year-old’s popularity among SACP leadership and ANC branches stand him in good stead.
Bapela said the winner will be chosen on the basis of his ability to meet six requirements laid down by ANC branches. These criteria will count more in the selection than the number of branches supporting a candidate.
The new premier is expected to have the ability to unite the ANC and its alliance partners, have vision, be able to accept criticism and be responsive to the needs and views of the constituency.
Besides working within the collective of the ANC leadership, Bapela said the candidate must be politically sound and mature. “It will be a difficult decision to take – all are strong,” Bapela said. “But unfortunately one has to succeed. We hope to emerge with one name on Sunday.”
There are two options if no consensus is reached:
* Obviously weaker candidates may drop out, and throw their weight behind those left in the race. Party insiders say this outcome could see Chikane elected as a compromise if it was difficult to choose between Motshekga, Mashatile and Masondo.
But SACP and ANC branches are unlikely to accept such a compromise.
* The second option would be to reach consensus by vote at branch level – something the task team does not want to
see happen. In this scenario, Mathole is believed to stand a good chance. He has already won the support of the majority of ANC branches, including the youth league.
South African National Civics Organisation general secretary Albert Tleane said the movement wants the issue dealt with in a cordial and professional manner – “befitting the status of the ANC as a leading member of the alliance.
“We don’t expect a situation to arise where we’ll be forced to vote. We see consensus emerging without any sharp differences.”
Tleane said that should consensus was not reached, ANC branches should be the final decision-makers.