The ANC’s election lists emanating from KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday underlined provincial secretary Senzo Mchunu’s claim that the process had acted as a ”unifying” force within party structures.
Predictably the guide as to who will be sitting in KZN’s legislature after April 22, is topped by ANC provincial chairperson Zweli Mkhize.
The list also includes several people believed to be on their way out because of their perceived support for former ANC president Thabo Mbeki in the party’s internal leadership battles.
These include housing MEC, Mike Mabuyakhulu (number nine); provincial legislature chief whip Cyril Xaba (15) and agriculture MEC, Mtholephi Mthimkulu (19).
The big surprise was the inclusion of education MEC Ina Cronje at number two on the list for the provincial legislature. The move is regarded to be as much about the ANC’s sensitivity to gender parity (the ANC requires a 50-50 gender balance in all structures) as attempting to head off any debilitating future power struggles.
Cronje is known to be close to Mkhize and thought to not have long-term political ambitions.
The rest of the top ten is completed by ANC provincial secretary Senzo Mchunu; health MEC Peggy Nkonyeni who faces corruption charges later this year; provincial speaker Willies Mchunu; public works MEC Lydia Johnson; transport MEC Bheki Cele; arts and culture MEC Weziwe Thusi; Mabuyakhulu and MMP Belinda Scott.
The list also indicates pay-back for those who supported Jacob Zuma in the build-up to his election as ANC president in 2007. Flamboyant eThekwini Community Church pastor Vusi Dube comes in at number 53 while fiery Sadtu provincial secretary, Sipho KK Nkosi is at number 27 on the 80-strong list.
Mkhize confidante, Nomusa Dube returns from an ambassadorship in the Czech Republic to a strong place at number 12.
Mchunu said local government councilors had been excluded from the process because the party did not want to disrupt service delivery on that level. Activists of Indian origin also feature prominently with the likes of Maggie Govender and Fathima Nahara making the top 20.
KZN’s province-to-national list, which will feed representation on the National Council of Provinces offers payback for Zuma backers, those who have helped the ANC infiltrate the IFP’s former rural strongholds, like Prince Zeblon Zulu, and an opportunity for ANC members, like former provincial deputy-secretary Mbuso Khubeka to rehabilitate their political careers after the party’s succession battles.
Topping the list is Sizani Dlamini, the owner of the house which Zuma uses when he is in Johannesburg.
Mkhize was at pains to emphasis that current premier, Sbu Ndebele, had made it onto the ANC’s national-to-national list at number 31, and was therefore removed from provincial lists.