ANC race heats up
History will definitely be in the making when the Mpumalanga ANC finally gets to host its long-awaited provincial conference in February.
MBOMBELA – Even though there are no fixed and confirmed dates yet, the acting provincial secretary, Lindiwe Ntshalintshali, agrees that it is about time the conference sat.
“We are actually pushing for the conference to take place in February, however, we will be guided by a number of factors such as branch meetings and audits. But the long and short of it is that we want the conference to sit once and for all,” Ntshalintshali said.
For starters, unlike previously, this conference will see a number of candidates all vying for the driver’s seat, and whoever is going to ascend the throne, will do so with the slightest margin on the scoreboard.
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This position had always been a one-man show. The only time it was closely contested was in August 2008, when David Mabuza went neck and neck against Lassy Chiwayo during the 10th provincial conference at the Lowveld Showgrounds.
Mabuza beat the charismatic Chiwayo with 388 votes to 305. From this conference, Mabuza went on to be re-elected twice, unopposed and without any stiff competition.
Things have changed this time around, since there has been a great interest from a number of notable names with serious political backgrounds and experience.
The names of veteran politicians Peter Nyoni, Lucky Ndinisa and Mandla Ndlovu are reportedly becoming quite well known within the branches and membership of Former provincial secretary, Hopeful, Peter Nyoni. Lucky Ndinisa.
Acting chairperson, Mandla Ndlovu. Premier, Refilwe MtshweniTsipane. If any of the above takes over the baton, history will certainly have been rewritten.
Nyoni is a known fearless leader who was suspended from the ANC for speaking his mind against corruption and gatekeeping. He quietly went on to serve his suspension, but continued to fight and speak against divisions and maladministration within the party.
Ndlovu, on the other hand, a quiet and softspoken yet smart tactician, comes from the former Bohlabela, the only region that has never produced a chairperson in recent years. He looks poised to become the first chairperson from there. Another name in the running for the race is that of the current premier, Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane.
She is thus far the only female candidate and could have her name in the history books by becoming the first-ever female candidate to ascend the throne and lead this gigantic organisation, which has taken some heavy blows and cracks due to factional battles.
