Mthembu says ANC ‘tradition’ is clear on Ramaphosa succeeding Zuma

African National Congress branches and members know very well that the preparatory position for the party’s president is the position of the ANC deputy president, so says the ruling party’s chief whip Jackson Mthembu.

In a series of tweets at the weekend, Mthembu joined the ongoing debate within the ANC regarding the party’s so-called tradition or culture of allowing its deputy president to automatically succeed the sitting president.

According to the chief whip, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa should be elected to succeed President Jacob Zuma at the party’s upcoming National Conference in December. He said any ANC member can try to run for the party’s top post, but “if you are not an ANC deputy president, you will fail.”

Mthembu said ANC branches and members are not “allowing anyone to jump the ANC leadership queue to be President” by supporting Ramaphosa’s bid to lead the 105-year-old organisation. He said they were enforcing the ANC’s tradition of permitting its deputy president to succeed the president.

“This is a clear indication that @MYANC members have a better understanding of ANC traditions and culture as opposed to some @MYANC leaders,” Mthembu tweeted.

However, Mthembu’s statements are in stark contrast to ANC treasurer-general and presidential candidate Zweli Mkhize’s views on the succession debate. On Friday, Mkhize said Ramaphosa would have to put his name up for nomination just like every other candidate running for the party’s presidency.

He said the ANC’s constitution stated clearly that any member can be nominated and nominate for the presidency.

“The deputy president will be among those that are right to be considered,” said Mkhize, speaking on the sidelines at the OR Tambo Memorial Lecture at the Chief Mogale Hall.

“There is a right for all members to nominate any member. If it was as straightforward as that, there would not be a need for a conference,” he added.

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