Chairperson of the ANC electoral committee Kgalema Motlanthe.
Image: Freddy Mavunda
The ANC has extended its deadline for branches to nominate their preferred leaders ahead of the national conference in December.
Initially the nominations process by branches was meant to conclude on Sunday October 2 but has now been extended to October 25.
ANC treasurer-general and acting secretary-general Paul Mashatile on Thursday told the head of the electoral committee, Kgalema Motlanthe, of the decision that was made during a secretariat meeting on Tuesday where progress reports were discussed.
The committee headed by Motlanthe is overseeing the nominations process and has formulated guidelines on what is permissible as branches make their choices.
The reports, Mashatile said, pointed out that some meetings were disrupted by, among others, the strike by disgruntled staff members over unpaid salaries.
“The reports highlighted a number of challenges impacting on BGMs [branch general meetings], including load-shedding, industrial action by ANC staff, a high percentage of newly elected branch secretaries not familiar with the membership system, and the need to upgrade software,” Mashatile wrote to Motlanthe.
“Based on an assessment of these reports, it is clear that many branches will not be able to hold their BGMs by the deadline of Sunday, 2 October 2022.”
The branches are making their choice of preferred leadership for the party’s top six positions as well as additional national executive committee [NEC] members. The NEC is the highest decision-making body between conferences.
For the president position, branch members will make their choice between the incumbent Cyril Ramaphosa who is expected to seek re-election, former health minister and NEC member Zweli Mkhize and Cogta minister and NEC member Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. Tourism minister Lindiwe Sisulu is also in the running.
There are at least six candidates for the deputy president position including ministers Ronald Lamola, Mamoloko Kubayi, Senzo Mchunu, Paul Mashatile, Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane and David Mabuza who is expected to seek re-election.
Candidates for national chair include the incumbent Gwede Mantashe, Limpopo premier Stan Mathabatha and deputy minister of finance and NEC member David Masondo.
Those who are gunning for the party’s engine, the secretary-general position, include deputy minister of public enterprises Phumulo Masualle, co-ordinator in the ANC secretary-general office Gwen Ramokgopa, transport minister Fikile Mbalula, former ANC KZN secretary and provincial executive committee member Mdumiseni Ntuli and Luthuli House general manager Febe Potgieter.
Potgieter’s name has also come up for the position of deputy secretary-general along with that of ANC head of organising and NEC member Nomvula Mokonyane, and ANC Women’s League co-ordinator Maropene Ramokgopa.
Current party spokesperson Pule Mabe will contest his friend ANC Ekurhuleni regional chair Mzwandile Masina for the position of treasurer-general along with finance minister and NEC member Enoch Godongwana and Eastern Cape PEC member Andile Lungisa.
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