AN ANC branch in the Eastern Cape has broken ranks with the rest by nominating Dr Mathews Phosa to succeed President Jacob Zuma when the party elects its new leaders next month.
Dr WB Rubusana region’s Ward 14 in Mdantsane held its branch general meeting (BGM) on Monday.
This follows a decision by the ANC national executive committee (NEC) to allow branches to nominate leaders for the December conference to be held at Nasrec, Johannesburg.
ANC provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukayithobi said at least 60% of the province’s 594 branches, which are in good standing, have held their nomination meetings.
“We have set Sunday as the cut-off date and so we are hoping that all regions will race against time and push to convene as many BGMs this week,” Ngcukayithobi said.
Phosa, if he secures enough nominations to contest, is likely to compete against Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, Zweli Mkhize, as well as Baleka Mbete.
Charlotte Maxeke branch secretary Zininzi Mtyingizane confirmed Phosa’s nomination.
The branch, which covers a large section of Mdantsane’s NU3 as well as Luxolweni informal settlement, has 217 members in good standing. Of these 108 attended Monday’s meeting held at Elitheni Higher Primary.
The branch, as guided by the party’s constitution, qualifies to field one delegate and on Monday they nominated Saluka Getye as their branch delegate to the conference.
Getye, a women’s league branch secretary, said they wanted to also field Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as deputy president, Lindiwe Sisulu as national chairwoman, Jessie Duarte as secretary-general and Cyril Ramaphosa as deputy secretary.
The branch also wants to field Eastern Cape premier Phumulo Masualle, Sicelo Gqobana, BCM speaker Alfred Mtsi, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, Zukisa Faku as well as BCM mayor Xola Pakati as additional members of the NEC.
Getye said the branch opted to endorse Phosa, because “his credentials as an anti-apartheid activist as well as his experience as former Mpumalanga premier and his academic qualifications, make him an ideal candidate to change South Africa’s fortunes”.
Asked about the fact that Phosa has not been in the party’s top structure after his term as ANC treasurer general ended in December 2012, Getye said this did not necessarily mean that the established businessman had not been active at branch level.
“Here we have someone who has spoken openly against corruption, and vowed that he will never allow his family to do business with the state, raising his hand.
“Our branch is not only commending Dr Phosa for that, he is also very humble and accessible to ordinary people.
“What more can one ask for in an ANC leader,” said Getye, who confirmed that she would have to campaign against the ANCWL’s decision to endorse Dlamini-Zuma.
Phosa gets the nod from M’sane branch
Dr WB Rubusana region’s Ward 14 in Mdantsane held its branch general meeting (BGM) on Monday.
This follows a decision by the ANC national executive committee (NEC) to allow branches to nominate leaders for the December conference to be held at Nasrec, Johannesburg.
ANC provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukayithobi said at least 60% of the province’s 594 branches, which are in good standing, have held their nomination meetings.
“We have set Sunday as the cut-off date and so we are hoping that all regions will race against time and push to convene as many BGMs this week,” Ngcukayithobi said.
Phosa, if he secures enough nominations to contest, is likely to compete against Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, Zweli Mkhize, as well as Baleka Mbete.
Charlotte Maxeke branch secretary Zininzi Mtyingizane confirmed Phosa’s nomination.
The branch, which covers a large section of Mdantsane’s NU3 as well as Luxolweni informal settlement, has 217 members in good standing. Of these 108 attended Monday’s meeting held at Elitheni Higher Primary.
The branch, as guided by the party’s constitution, qualifies to field one delegate and on Monday they nominated Saluka Getye as their branch delegate to the conference.
Getye, a women’s league branch secretary, said they wanted to also field Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as deputy president, Lindiwe Sisulu as national chairwoman, Jessie Duarte as secretary-general and Cyril Ramaphosa as deputy secretary.
The branch also wants to field Eastern Cape premier Phumulo Masualle, Sicelo Gqobana, BCM speaker Alfred Mtsi, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, Zukisa Faku as well as BCM mayor Xola Pakati as additional members of the NEC.
Getye said the branch opted to endorse Phosa, because “his credentials as an anti-apartheid activist as well as his experience as former Mpumalanga premier and his academic qualifications, make him an ideal candidate to change South Africa’s fortunes”.
Asked about the fact that Phosa has not been in the party’s top structure after his term as ANC treasurer general ended in December 2012, Getye said this did not necessarily mean that the established businessman had not been active at branch level.
“Here we have someone who has spoken openly against corruption, and vowed that he will never allow his family to do business with the state, raising his hand.
“Our branch is not only commending Dr Phosa for that, he is also very humble and accessible to ordinary people.
“What more can one ask for in an ANC leader,” said Getye, who confirmed that she would have to campaign against the ANCWL’s decision to endorse Dlamini-Zuma.
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