African National Congress (ANC) presidential hopeful Jacob Zuma has assured South Africa he would not be a sore loser if he were not elected leader of the ruling party, a newspaper reported on Monday.
”I have accepted nomination knowing that the result could be anything and I am ready to accept any outcome. When we come back from Limpopo, we will be united behind that leader. That is our duty, that is our task,” Business Day quoted Zuma as saying.
Zuma, who was speaking at a South African Communist Party (SACP) rally, has just returned from a tour of India, the United States and England where he sought to allay the fears of investors concerned about a Zuma presidency.
The leadership of the ruling party is the traditional stepping stone to the country’s top job, and with elections due to be held in 2009 the elective ANC national conference being held this week is being closely watched.
Meanwhile, Zuma’s supporters — who have backed him through a rape trial and charges of corruption — said there would be no vengeance for those he felt had wronged him.
”I agree also there should be no revenge … Now, in case you are the next president on December 20, I want to say … no matter how bitter you feel about how some of the state organs have been used against you, don’t [seek] revenge,” said SACP general secretary Blade Nzimande.
The divisive race for leadership of the ANC is being led by Zuma and incumbent President Thabo Mbeki, and is heating up ahead of the conference set to start this weekend.
Nelson Mandela’s ex-wife Winnie Madikizela Mandela is said to be attempting to broker a truce between the two.
”I have been a member of the ANC for more than 50 years and there have been many contestations in the past, but never has it been characterised by such a high level of acrimony, personal attacks, accusations and counter-accusations and a total disregard for the ANC and what it stands for by both sides,” she told the Sunday Times.
Madikizela-Mandela wants to convince both leaders that the only way to stem the bloodletting in the party is for them to remain in their respective positions and then both to quit the party leadership within five years, said the paper.
She said she would seek meetings with Mbeki and Zuma this week. — Sapa-AFP, Sapa