By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The ANC Women’s League national task team has come out in support of President Cyril Ramaphosa to be given a second term as party president.
This after the structure met on Monday to nominate proffered leaders ahead of the ANC elective conference in December.
Ramaphosa garnered 52 votes, while Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma got seven, with Zweli Mkhize receiving five votes and one member abstaining.
However, the ANCWL this time elected that their representative was best suited to play second fiddle as Thandi Modise won the candidacy for deputy president.
Modise scored 43 votes, while Paul Mashatile, who has so far emerged as favourite for the position in many provinces, managed 13 votes. Mmamoloko Kubayi received four votes and Ronald Lamola three.
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula got the nod from both the Women’s League and the Youth League for the secretary-general position. This was seen as a massive boost for his campaign to take charge at the ANC’s headquarters, Luthuli House.
The Women’s League expressed support for Gwede Mantashe to serve a second term as national chairperson. The Youth League opted for Limpopo chairperson Stanley Mathabatha for that position.
The Women’s League opted for three candidates to be women, with Febe Potgieter as their candidate for the deputy secretary-general position. They want the party’s treasurer-general to be Gwen Ramokgopa.
Monday is officially the deadline for ANC branches to conclude their nominations ahead of the governing party’s 55th national elective conference next month.
While several candidates are hoping to be nominated and elected for the highly contested presidency of the ANC incumbent Ramaphosa and Mkhize appear to be the leading candidates vying for the top position.
The other candidates who have thrown their hats in the ring for the presidency include Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Dalmini-Zuma and Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu.