By: ANG Reporter
Former President Jacob Zuma has not only endorsed Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as his preferred candidate to challenge President Cyril Ramaphosa for ANC presidency in December.
Zuma has also made himself available to serve the ANC again, saying he will not refuse a call by ANC branches “should they deem it necessary for me to serve the organisation again at any level.”
In a statement, Zuma said: “There have been rumours in the public domain and the media about my leadership preferences for the upcoming conference. I wish to indicate that I have not shifted from the position we had taken in 2017.”
Added Zuma: “What is strange to me is that the majority of the people who are being talked about now as we go to the 55th national conference as part of the candidates who supported Cyril Ramaphosa in the 54th National Conference. Comrades we must not have short memories in the past few years comrades were overwhelmed by a lot of money not using political conscience but guided by greed to nominate and vote for African National Congress President. Which led to the significant drop in the national election in 2019 and dismal performance in the Metropolitan municipalities and some of the strategic municipalities.”
Zuma said Dlamini-Zuma “remains the most capable to lead the ANC, given her track record in the movement and government, leadership capabilities and qualities and her understanding and knowledge of the ANC amongst others”.
“I have heard some few comrades raising some issues with regards to her, but unfortunately they all dismal failed to present a better candidate with better credentials than hers except those who have a lot of money. Unfortunately, it is not those that have a lot of money that count, on the contrary, it is those who have the capabilities to help lead the ANC and are trustworthy to the principles and policies of the ANC. I also wish to advise I have not endorsed or supported any other presidential candidate for the 55th National Conference as reported by social media.”
Zuma further confirmed that he had been approached by a number of ANC members asking him to make himself available for the position of national chairperson of the ANC, “to contribute in the rebuilding of the organisation and to provide direction”.
“I have indicated that I will be guided by the branches of the ANC and that I will not refuse such a call should they deem it necessary for me to serve the organisation again at that level or any other.”
Zuma reiterated the call for ANC branches to be given space to do their work “without being coerced or manipulated and without the use of money to influence nominations and votes”.
“We need to revive the ANC of old, where branches nominated and selected people based on the requirements of the organisation at that particular period or epoch rather than resources at their disposal,” said Zuma.
“Comrades lets return the ANC to its rightful owners The upcoming conference provides an opportunity for the ANC to be returned to its rightful owners, the membership, and to extricate it from the invisible but powerful forces that use it to entrench privilege and protect the status quo domestically and globally.”
Added Zuma: “These forces are determined to keep the black majority economically subjugated to protect their ill-gotten gains. A stronger and united ANC is a serious threat to their hegemony.”
Zuma’s preference of Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has put him on a collision course with the ANC in his home province, which has officially named former health Minister Zweli Mkhize as its nominee for the ANC presidency at the December elective conference.
According to ANC KZN provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo, this is the majority result from the province’s branch nomination meetings over the past week.
The province has also nominated Paul Mashatile as Deputy president, Stan Mathabatha as national chairperson, Phumulo Masualle as secretary-general, and Nomvula Mokonyane as deputy secretary-general.
