The ANC on Tuesday released the final list of nominees for its top six positions – among them party president, deputy president and secretary general – for its powerful national executive committee (NEC) ahead of the national conference to be held between 16 December and 20 December.
Whoever emerges as party president would become state president, should the ANC secure the majority in a general election due in 2024.
The ANC said 3,543 out of a total of 3,982 branches in good standing held meetings to select its top six candidates.
Ramaphosa, who replaced his predecessor Jacob Zuma as state president in 2018 by pledging to overcome rampant state corruption, got 2,037 votes from branches but can still face challengers nominated from the floor, officials said.
“As you know at the conference there will be an opportunity for delegates to nominate from the floor … of course, any candidate that musters 25% of voting delegates will then also be included on the ballot paper,” Kgalema Motlanthe, the ANC electoral head, told a media briefing.
Ahead of Mkhize
According to the ANC, Ramaphosa comfortably beat Zweli Mkhize, the former health minister who resigned after being implicated in corruption allegations linked to departmental work during the Covid-19 pandemic. Mkhize has denied any wrongdoing.
READ MORE South Africa: After bashing Ramaphosa, ANC members should learn from their party’s history
A union leader turned businessman, Ramaphosa, is widely viewed as the ANC’s best chance to improve its performance at the 2024 general election, and arrest a decline in electoral support that sank below 50% in last year’s municipal polls for the first time since South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994.
(Reporting by Wendell Roelf; Editing by Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo Editing by Tomasz Janowski)
Understand Africa's tomorrow... today
We believe that Africa is poorly represented, and badly under-estimated. Beyond the vast opportunity manifest in African markets, we highlight people who make a difference; leaders turning the tide, youth driving change, and an indefatigable business community. That is what we believe will change the continent, and that is what we report on. With hard-hitting investigations, innovative analysis and deep dives into countries and sectors, The Africa Report delivers the insight you need.
View subscription options
