Tense moments leading up to Ramaphosa’s emphatic win

Amid the deafening chants, clapping of hands, singing, ululating and stomping of feet in celebrating President Cyril Ramaphosa’s emphatic win over presidential rival Dr Zweli Mkhize, Ramaphosa earlier appeared a worried man – cutting a lone figure at the packed Nasrec plenary.

Minutes before ANC electoral committee chair Kgalema Motlanthe, took the podium to announce the outcome of the party leadership election results, a tense atmosphere prevailed, with leadership contenders appearing restless.

Tense moments leading up to the big result

Sitting in the front row on stage – pending the announcement of election results – Ramaphosa and party national chair Gwede Mantashe were in a pensive mood, which later would turn joyous.

Against a background of having been drowned by the intense heckling of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) delegates who supported Mkhize for president, Ramaphosa, sitting next to Paul Mashatile, Mantashe, Gwen Ramakgopa, had moments when no one would speak.

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Ironically, on the far right of the stage, staunchest detractors Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Ruth Bhengu, were in a jovial mood – appearing to be eagerly awaiting the political burial of Ramaphosa – backed by rowdily-singing KZN delegates.

With some delegates having switched political loyalties in the final hours before voting, you would not blame Ramaphosa to brace himself for the worst.

Dressed in a bright reflector vest, Motlanthe soon made the announcement, which stunned Ramaphosa’s political foes: “I am going to start alphabetically. Mkhize – 1 897 and Ramaphosa 2 476.”

The crowds soon erupted into a chant: “Ramaphosa.”

Ramaphosa’s political foes

His being led on stage to occupy his rightful position, offered delegates at a rare glimpse of Ramaphosa’s usual smile, with him seen sending a text message from his cell phone.

After sharing hugs with winners, those who lost the race – from Mkhize to Mdumiseni Ntuli – soon came up on stage to congratulate the victors.

Yesterday’s political foes seemed to have buried the hatchet, a gruelling leadership race at the party’s 55th national conference in Nasrec.

Ramaphosa later stood up to shake hands with supporters – reaching out to him from the floor.
Speaking on the sidelines of the conference, KZN provincial executive committee member Jomo Sibiya told journalists: “Unity in the ANC is paramount after the national conference election.

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“We have now resolved to never go back to a similar situation like in 2017, where the leadership merely said we should rally behind it for the next five years.”

Another good loser, was ANC national spokesperson Pule Mabe, whose aspirations to become the next party treasurer-general, would not be fulfilled.

After being trounced by Dr Gwen Ramakgopa, Mabe told a media briefing: “For me, standing for the position of treasurer-general of the ANC, was about making a contribution to the organisation.

“In making myself available for the position, I did not want to be part of any faction.

“I have supported past leaders of the organization and will continue to do so with the current elected leadership.

“I have supported President Ramaphosa, Deputy President DD Mabuza, comrade Ace Magashule, national chair Gwede Mantashe and others.” brians@citizen.co.za