/ 21 June 2008

Zweli Mkhize now ANC’s top man in KZN

KwaZulu-Natal finance minister Zweli Mkhize is the new African National Congress chairperson in the province, replacing Premier S’bu Ndebele, who had the position for nearly 10 years.

The province’s speaker of the legislature, Willies Mchunu, trounced safety and security minister Bheki Cele for the position of deputy chairperson.

This was announced at the party’s 6th provincial elective conference in Pietermaritzburg.

Cele accepted nomination from the floor to get only 56 votes instead of the required 241.

Senzo Mchunu retained his position as secretary general of the party for the third term.

Provincial health minister Peggy Nkonyeni was voted in as treasurer, replacing minister of local government Mike Mabuyakhulu.

Sihle Zikalala, former ANC Youth League secretary, replaced Mbuso Kubheka as deputy secretary.

While delegates continued their work in a closed session in Pietermaritzburg, eager party supporters gathered at Durban’s Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium, where several national ANC leaders were expected to speak.

These included ANC president Jacob Zuma, ANC Youth League president Julius Malema, South African Communist Party general secretary Blade Nzimande and the Young Communist League’s Buti Manamela.

By 11am hundreds wearing Zuma T-shirts had gathered at the stadium in anticipation of the party president’s arrival. — Sapa