Pretoria - The branches of the ANC have sent a clear message that President Cyril Ramaphosa has his work cut out for him – but all is not lost.
This is according to KwaZulu-Natal provincial secretary, Bheki Mtolo, who also says not all was lost after his province, supported Dr Zweli Mkhize, who was defeated by Ramaphosa’s slate.
Mtolo was speaking on the sidelines of the party’s 55th national elective conference at Nasrec, Johannesburg, yesterday after Ramaphosa defeated Mkhize by 579 votes. He banked 2 476 votes; Mkhize secured 1 897.
Paul Mashatile will deputise Ramaphosa, while Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula took the secretary-general position. He will be deputised by Nomvula Mokonyane.
The party had resolved to endorse a seventh position in the secretariat that paved the path for Maropene Ramokgopa to be the second deputy secretary.
This means three females were trusted to lead in the top seven, with Gwen Ramokgopa clinching the treasurer-general position.
Minerals and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe also retained his position as party chairperson.
The KZN delegation, through Mtolo, seemed to have not given up after the result swere announced yesterday morning after a gruelling Sunday night at the polls.
Mtolo said: “Branches of the ANC are sending a message that we must move away from slate politics.
“We fought a good fight, but it is a democracy. Comrades Gwede and Ramaphosa were elected democratically. There were no shenanigans. We were there and were fellow observers. We campaigned, and he won. We must accept that he won. He is the president until 2027.
“We have no choice. This is the leadership of the ANC elected by conference. We are the subordinates of the ANC conference, and the conference has spoken.
“We have elected our top seven, which is our leadership elected by branches. We are not above the branches.”
Asked what the future was for Mkhize, Mtolo said he would continue to be a member of the ANC and do work at his branch. “Dr Zweli Mkhize is a member of the ANC.
He is going to do work in his branch. This conference was not factionalised. This is one of the most smooth conferences. The campaign was good.
“The branches of the ANC have decided. We must accept that. Let’s accept the decisions of the ANC.
“All of us who have lost have no choice but to rally behind the ANC. All of us are subjected to the new leadership. It’s a matter of being disciplined and make sure that there is understanding of democratic centralism.
“Coming here, we knew there were two possibilities: one is that president Ramaphosa will win or lose.
Now we have a president, and we go forward.”
Today is the last day of the conference. It will end with the announcement of additional members and Ramaphosa’s closing address.
Pretoria News