Jaspreet Kindra
Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa is facing unexpected competition for the post of African National Congress chairperson in the province, to be filled at the Gauteng ANC conference next weekend.
The conference will elect office-bearers to replace the “interim” ANC leadership installed after the national ANC disbanded the Gauteng executive committee 17 months ago after infighting between supporters and opponents of former premier Mathole Motshekga.
Housing MEC Paul Mashatile has emerged as a popular choice among many branches, particularly in the East and West Rand regions, where there had been significant backing for Motshekga. A member of the South African Communist Party, Mashatile has served as deputy chair of the ANC’s provincial executive committee.
Among other names tipped for top positions are Tshwane mayor Smangaliso Mkhatshwa, Johannesburg metro mayor Amos Masondo, Gauteng MPL Mandla Nkomfe and current coordinator of the interim leadership in Gauteng, trade unionist David Makhura.
ANC veterans John Nkadimeng and Josiah Jele may also be fielded for positions in the provincial executive committee. Some interim leaders are understood to feel that the inclusion of Nkadimeng, a national executive member of the ANC in exile, and Jele, who headed the party’s international desk in exile, could stabilise provincial structures.
Other possible nominations are finance and economic affairs MEC Jabu Moleketi and Motshekga’s wife, MEC for social services and population development Angelina Motshekga.
A special general council is to be held over the weekend, where the nomination list will be discussed.
A new system of lobbying, road-tested at recent ANC regional elections, is also to be formally introduced: those who nominate candidates have to disclose their identities and motivate their choices.
Sources claim the new system worked against MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Mondli Gungubele, who stood for chair of the East Rand region. He was defeated by former trade unionist Duma Nkosi, believed to have been pushed by the party leadership. Nkosi subsequently succeeded ousted Ekhurleni mayor Bavumile Vilakazi.
Marianne Merten reports that Western Cape ANC chairman Ebrahim Rasool is almost certain to be reconfirmed as party leader in the province at the first of the party’s regional conferences this weekend.