The national executive committee (NEC) of the ANC is likely to see the infusion of the next generation of party leaders in its highest decision- making structure.
The battle for a position in the structure is one of the most contested in the ANC’s history, with 158 people competing for 60 spots. The number will exceed 158 as those losing out on the top six officials positions automatically fall into the pool of NEC candidates.
The struggle for control between supporters of ANC president Thabo Mbeki and ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma accounts for the long list, as each brought his own list, vastly different from the other’s.
The 158 represent all shades of the ANC, including renowned gender activists, business people, socialists, and a significant presence of the next layer of ANC, made up of members who not long ago were leading the youth league.
Almost 100 candidates will not make it, unless a proposal to expand the NEC to 90 members is accepted.
During the course of this year some members of the NEC proposed that the committee be expanded to allocate quotas for young people, workers and women. The suggestion will be discussed at the conference, but the youth league has already rejected the idea, saying no one should be guaranteed positions.
The list excludes some NEC members, such as Enoch Godongwana, Kader Asmal and Beatrice Marshoff. Cabinet ministers and deputy ministers are well represented.
Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi has declined nomination to the NEC, but last Sunday he was told by Zuma, Blade Nzimande and Gwede Mantashe that they do not accept his decision and that he could be nominated from the floor.