Current Gauteng ANC chairperson Paul Mashatile retained his position after a bruising leadership battle with his deputy premier Nomvula Mokonyane.
After a long day that ended with delegates voting late on Friday, Mashatile obtained 531 votes against Mokonyane’s 356.
The party’s electoral commission announced that the position of deputy chairperson would be filled by Tshwane mayor Gwen Ramokgopa who beat Bafana Sibisi. She obtained 513 votes against his 364 votes
Current provincial secretary, David Makhura retained his position after obtaining 485 votes.
Special adviser to basic education minister Angie Motshekga, Panyasa Lesufi, obtained 197 votes and Pule Mlambo obtained 200 in the contest for the position of the provincial secretary.
Humphrey Memezi was elected the new deputy secretary with 505 votes.
The position of the treasurer went to Ntombi Mekgwe, the mayor of Ekurhuleni.
Delegates cheered and shouted as the announcement was made, and Mokonyane’s supporters watched silently as Mashatile moved on to the stage.
Two centres of power
The electoral commission opened nomination for the remaining position in the provincial executive committee (PEC) and Mokonyane declined her nomination.
Mashatile’s win poses a challenge for Mokonyane as it creates two centres of power, one leader in the ANC and another in government in the province.
Earlier Mokonyane dismissed reports that two centres of power would put her in a difficult position.
“I do not want to link my deployment as premier to this process,” she said.
Late on Friday night delegates were celebrating at the Tshwane Event Centre, happy that their candidates had won the election. – Sapa