President Thabo Mbeki and his deputy, Jacob Zuma, are predictably first and second on the African National Congress’s provisional list of national candidates for next year’s general elections, released on Monday.
The national and provincial lists were adopted by the ANC’s national list conference at the weekend, and have been distributed to all ANC structures to allow for appeals and objections, the party said in a statement on Monday.
The deadline for the submission of appeals or objections is December 5.
”These lists are subject to finalisation pending the findings of the appeals committee on any appeals or objections; consideration of the results of the ANC’s review of serving public representatives; and any reordering necessary to ensure a minimum of one-third women candidates throughout the lists.”
The ANC’s candidates for provincial premierships — who had yet to be determined by ANC President Thabo Mbeki — would be inserted at the top of each of the province-to-province lists.
The lists would be finalised by the ANC national executive committee at its meeting on December 15, the statement read.
Third on the national list is Minister of Foreign Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, followed by Minister of Education Kader Asmal, Minister of Finance Trevor Manuel, Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs Thoko Didiza, Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota and Sport and Recreation Minister Ngconde Balfour.
Public Service and Administration Minister Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi is in ninth position and Northern Cape Premier Manne Dipico in 10thplace.
Others in the top 30 include Water Affairs and Forestry Minister Ronnie Kasrils (13), Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula (14), National Assembly Speaker Frene Ginwala (15), Trade and Industry Minister Alec Erwin (23), and the South African Communist Party’s Jeremy Cronin (29).
ANC MP Derek Hanekom is in 34th place and National Council of Provinces chair Naledi Pandor in 35th.
Other prominent names on the national list include justice portfolio committee chair Johnny de Lange (37), Free State premier Winkie Direko (39), and MPs Nyami Booi (59) and Randall van den Heever (80).
Former United Democratic Movement (UDM) deputy leader Gerhard Koornhof, who defected to the ANC during the floor-crossing period earlier this year, is in 87th place, and his former UDM colleague Annelize van Wyk, who defected along with him, is in 129th place. — Sapa