Succession sands are shifting in ANC

The dreaded split in the ANC – the reason many in the party’s top echelons would not entertain the removal of President Jacob Zuma – seems not only inevitable at this stage, but necessary for the party’s survival.

The narrative is gaining traction, as perhaps those in the ANC are recognising that a clean break from the current order is needed for voters to regain confidence in the organisation.

Hence, the notion surfaced this weekend that deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa’s presidential bid – if it succeeds – may see an “alternative ANC” emerge.

Sentiments are also emanating from ANC top brass, such as ANC NEC member Bheki Cele, that if anyone but Ramaphosa wins, chaos is likely.

Not only is this an endorsement of Ramaphosa, it’s a rejection of other candidates, including Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Zuma’s preferred choice to succeed him.

That the ANC needs to be saved from a leadership crisis was also expressed by Minister of Human Settlements Lindiwe Sisulu, who has been positioned as Ramaphosa’s deputy should he win.

At a Heritage Day event on Sunday, she called for action against those named in the leaked Gupta e-mails – a clear indication she supports a heavy-handed approach to cleaning up the ANC.

Frankly, we couldn’t agree more.