Mabuza not in favour of two centres of power

MBOMBELA – The premier Mr David Mabuza has revealed that he is not in favour of two centres of power whereby the chairperson of the ANC is not a premier, but reports to someone else, politically.

He was speaking during a media briefing last Friday after addressing hundreds of ANC delegates who atttended the provincial general council (PGC).

He was unanimously requested to stand for a third term as chairperson of the organisation by the multitudes through song and dance, some even displayed number plates on their vehicles with the inscription: DDM 003 MP, meaning (David Dabede Mabuza for third term).

“I am premier from last year until 2019. The term of the ANC is shorter than government. In the best interest of the ANC, we must try and keep these offices together and put the ANC in the forefront. I am also agitated that l must prepare future leaders.

I must leave the province at some point, and that time is coming closer. I’m not there by force,” he said.

Asked about his alleged intentions to be elected among the top six national executive committee members in the ANC, he said: “People are talking about the top six positions.

When I was an MEC under Dr Mathews Phosa, he appointed me when l was a teacher. I was fetched at school and taken straight to the legislature and sworn in.

“I felt overwhelmed. I lost weight because the responsibility was too huge. I had to amalgamate different departments of education. I was exposed to a lot of things and survived. It was hard and I collapsed in a meeting at one stage after having spent three days in a meeting. I have matured with time.

“When I look at programmes nationally, I am scared for a person who is getting old, it is too hectic.They don’t sleep nationally. I will miss my sleep and freedom. It is not something that I want, it can catch up with me. There is nothing nice there.

You can’t determine your freedom, even the president doesn’t have time to rest.

“I don’t know what people want in these offices. The reality of the situation is that it is very difficult… the ANC will decide. I have served the ANC and don’t regret the time I have served the province.

“People who say I have to be stopped because I want to become the deputy president, is the same people who are giving it to me. I also want to live my life like you.

I miss sitting in restaurants and drinking coffee. If they choose me, I will go. The likes of Mandela served, why can’t I do it, too?If you the join ANC, you will divorce with it at death. Blessed are those who died in the ANC.

Serve in the ANC until you die. At some stage, they will chase you away,” he concluded.