VIDEO: ANC55 Outcome of the race for presidency remains uncertain

With the ANC conference approaching its halfway mark on Sunday, it was difficult to predict the outcomes, with some delegates still undecided between incumbent Cyril Ramaphosa and his embattled former health minister Zweli Mkhize.

A delegate from the KwaZulu-Natal boldly deviated from the province’s position by expressing an independent view on the leadership issues.

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Tshepo Mohlomi, the delegate from Harry Gwala, said while the conference was proceeding well, it was clear the race for the presidency was uncertain.

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Mohlomi said he believed whoever emerged had the mandate to unite the ANC. “I trust they understand the challenges we are facing as an organisation,” Mohlomi said.

Both Ramaphosa and Mkhize had experience and were well-tested. “I am rooting for the unity of the organisation and to ultimately deal with the issues we are facing as a country,” he said.

With internal factional battles still raging, Mohlomi said disputes should not be classified as a war because this was a democratic country.

What democracy looked like in the ANC

“We are allowed to enjoy and express ourselves in terms of the candidates we are supporting. It would be wrong of the media or anyone to classify what is happening inside as a war. It is just a form of convincing each other on who we believe in,” he said.

“What is important is that whoever emerges today, all of us should rally behind that leader. In my view, the proceedings are doing what is needed.”

A Western Cape delegate, Nomfundo Ndunana, said the proceeding reflected a positive attitude.

“I know what my branch’s mandate is and all I came here for is to bring back Ramaphosa and everything else, it does not concern me,” she said.

“Most of us have hopes in Ramaphosa and when he returns – which I am sure about – our economy will be stable.”

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When questioned on Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala issue and whether it would have any significant impact, Ndunana said there was “no situation and there was nothing to comment on that”.

“There is nothing to say. All we are here for is to bring Ramaphosa back which was the only important thing.”

Phala Phala controversy does not matter

This may indicate that to the ordinary ANC member the Phala Phala farm burglary controversy does not matter. This is despite the fact that the president was found to have a case to answer by the Section 89 panel investigation.

She added Ramaphosa had seen the country through a lot.

“We are coming from a time of the Covid pandemic and we have managed to survive that. He has tried to keep this stable and for me he is still the best candidate.”

Rudzani Mukhuba from Limpopo’s Makhado sub-region said his mandate was clear – to support Ramaphosa for president.

Mukhuba said they would also support treasurer-general and acting secretary-general Paul Mashatile as deputy president, Limpopo premier and ANC provincial chair Stanley Mathabatha as national chair and former KZN secretary Mdumiseni Ntuli as secretary-general, NEC member Nomvula Mokonyane as deputy secretary and outgoing national spokesperson Pule Mabe as treasury-general.

Mukhuba said their full support of Mathabatha was evident because he “has proved himself [and] led the province very well”.