By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Nominations for the ANC Eastern Cape’s top five positions got off on Sunday evening after lengthy deliberations on credentials which were later adopted.
The battle was between the current convener, Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane and former provincial treasurer Babalo Madikizela.
The ANC is expected to announce results from the internal polls on Monday afternoon.
A court application, threats of a collapse the sitting and a deadlock over credentials saw the conference only nominating candidates for its top five officials late on the third day of the conference.
Heightened security amidst fears of an attempt to collapse this conference and several delays caused much frustration for delegates.
But most turned to an age-old tradition in the ANC, using amagwijo, a Xhosa name for revolutionary songs, to keep them going.
Hand gestures like the call for a substitute in a football game and peace signs meaning the second term were used to indicate approval or disapproval for Mabuyane.
Eventually, about 1,497 delegates voted just after midnight to decide who will be the next top five of ANC in the Eastern Cape.
The conference outcomes are expected to determine whether President Cyril Ramaphosa has a good chance of winning a second term in December at the five-year ANC electoral conference.
Despite Madikizela’s public pronouncement of his support for Ramaphosa, the make-up of his Top Five slate has raised eyebrows – with the inclusion of known anti-Ramaphosa figures in the proposed line-up. These include Terris Ntutu, Andile Lungisa and Xolile Nkompela who are contesting for the positions of provincial secretary, treasurer and deputy provincial chairman respectively.
The trio have also been mired in controversy, from serving jail time for assault, facing fraud charges to fighting with the ANC in the courts.
But the hard line by Ramaphosa’s faction – on the step-aside rule, is likely to turn potential supporters against him.
It also serves to determine the strength of both Lindiwe Sisulu and Zweli Mkhize, who are expected to contest the ANC presidency.
Mlibo Qoboshiyane, joined forces against Ramaphosa’s main backer Mabuyane, who is ANC provincial task team convenor.
Ramaphosa was supposed to deliver the closing remarks on Sunday, but this was moved to Monday after several delays.
The delay of the conference, which was due to conclude its business on Sunday, was due to court challenges and the issue of credentials.