Mdumiseni Ntuli tipped to be ANC’s next spokesperson

Touted as the next ANC national spokesperson to replace Pule Mabe, former ANC KwaZulu-Natal secretary Mdumiseni Ntuli, on Tuesday described himself as “a servant of the movement” – ready to be deployed in any capacity.

Ironically, Ntuli who this week lost to Fikile Mbalula in a closely-contested race for the powerful ANC secretary-general (SG) position, has served as an organiser in the department of organising and campaigns, headed by Mbalula at the Luthuli House party headquarters – the two enjoying a good working relationship.

Ntuli on political future

Speaking to The Citizen on the sidelines of the 55th ANC national conference in Nasrec, Ntuli said the ANC would decide his political future.

Said Ntuli: “I have availed myself to be elected in the national executive committee (NEC) of the organisation.

“The secretary-general of the ANC and the entire leadership, will determine what my other responsibilities become upon being elected.

“Personally, I will not choose.

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“I have been exposed to the organising of the ANC while serving in the secretariat.

“By virtue of being provincial secretary, I have served as the ANC spokesperson in KwaZulu-Natal – the main communicator on issues and programmes.

“The ANC, which has invested in me, will decide on how I should be utilised, for it to achieve its own agenda.”

‘ I am at your disposal’

When he congratulated Mbalula on his election, he told him: “I am at your disposal.

“I am one of the comrades in the ANC who understands that conferences are events.

“When you are done with an event, the newly-elected leadership must be supported by all of us, because nobody brings to the ANC all the talents that are required.

“We have to reinforce each other to succeed.”

Ntuli said he contested the position of SG “fully understanding it is not about ourselves, but about the contribution each one of us has to make in the reconstruction and development of our country, with the ANC being a pre-eminent leader of that task and the evolution of our country.

“The support I have received on nominations and in votes, communicates a humbling message about a number of our comrades and structures throughout the country, have been very observant of what we are doing.

“As provincial secretary of the ANC and an organiser based at headquarters, I have been able to make a contribution – however minimal.

Party support

“The support I have received in this national conference, confirms that my contribution has been impacting positively in the ANC.

“I am very greatful and proud of the journey I have traversed, being so young.

“I have more to learn and more experience to accumulate.”

On what should be the focus of the newly-elected top seven in the ANC leadership, he said: “I have been one of the advocates of the reconfigured ANC in the top leadership echelons, to have two deputy SGs.

“The assigned responsibilities to the two DSGs should cover organising and campaigns and the other should deal with challenges of governance.

“They should also ensure that we produce the required new cadreship required in the current phase of the national democratic revolution.”

With factionalism having riddled the ANC in the run-up to its conference, Ntuli said: “The ANC leadership has to act on the issue of factionalism.

“We need to understand what brings about those factional tendencies in different parts of our provinces – a firm leadership to deal with those matters.”

brians@citizen.co.za