D-day has arrived for Ramaphosa, Dlamini-Zuma and the future of the ANC
The ANC will be voting for its new leadership today, as the hotly contested battle for the presidency between deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma finally comes to a head.
President Jacob Zuma on Saturday opened the party’s 54th elective conference with a fierce speech after hours of delays.
In his speech, Zuma took a swipe at all of his ‘opponents’, including South African businesses, critics within the party, as well as the media. He also made a veiled endorsement, subtly supporting his ex-wife, Dlamini-Zuma, as his successor.
Zuma told delegates that they should dismiss claims that voting for ‘certain candidates’ would lead to negative economic outcomes if they are not supported by business.
This was seen as a tacit endorsement of Dlamini-Zuma, whose populist rhetoric driving her campaign has been labeled as a big negative for the South African economy – while Ramaphosa is seen as aligned with businesses and more positive for the markets.
Ramaphosa received a big boost in support this weekend, having received official endorsement from outgoing ANC chair Baleka Mbete – as well as through an emergency meeting by the NEC, where delegates from provinces whose branches were tied up in litigation were barred from voting for leadership.
Most of these delegates were Dlamini-Zuma backers.
Secretary General Gwede Mantashe said that the party would get its leadership battle out of the way as quickly as possible so that the rest of the conference can be used to focus on policy issues.
The announcement of the next president of the ANC is expected to be made some time today. The conference re-opens at 9am.
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