By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Dr Zamani Saul has been elected unopposed for his second term as the provincial chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC) in the Northern Cape.
Saul was elected on Tuesday night during the ANC’s Northern Cape elective conference, which is taking place in Kimberley.
The conference is held under the theme: “The year of renewal to make the ANC a more effective instrument of the people to achieve the vision of the Freedom Charter: The people shall govern! The people shall share in the country’s wealth!”
The other top four provincial leaders were also elected unopposed, meaning there is no change to the ANC’s Northern Cape leadership.
- Deputy Provincial Chairperson: Bentley Vass
- Provincial Secretary: Deshi Ngxanga
- Deputy Provincial Secretary: Maruping Lekwene
- Provincial Treasurer: Fufe Makatong
Speaking at the conference on Tuesday night, Saul said it was important that elective conferences do not lead to divisions and factions within the organisation.
“There will always be conferences of the ANC, our responsibility as leaders is to ensure there is smooth transition in how we manage the politics of the organisation and internal contradictions. Our first imperative is to build unity.”
Saul’s re-election and that of his leadership team signal a period of consolidation for the ANC in the Northern Cape.
While the province faces challenges – including fluctuating electoral support and socio-economic disparities – the leadership remains committed to renewal, unity, and effective governance.
The conference continues on Wednesday and Thursday, where additional members of the provincial executive committee are set to be elected.
Meanwhile the ANC has denied approaching its former President Jacob Zuma or his MK party to join the Government of National Unity (GNU).
This comes after a voice note circulated on social media revealed how Zuma rejected the request to join the GNU.
Zuma further said the unity deal would ultimately sideline the DA, suggesting that once the GNU was formalised, “the DA would be kicked out of the government, end of story.”
ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the party had taken note of the recording, and denied that it had approached Zuma’s party.
“At this stage, the ANC has not independently verified the authenticity of the audio, nor has Zuma publicly confirmed its contents.
“However, due to the seriousness of the allegations and the risk of public misperception, the ANC categorically states that it has not approached Zuma or the MK Party to join the Government of National Unity. No such discussions have taken place.”
“These claims, if indeed attributable to Jacob Zuma, are unfounded and misleading, “Bhengu-Motsiri said.
Bhengu-Motsiri said the ANC has conducted all GNU engagements transparently, in good faith, and in line with the “spirit and letter of the Constitution” of the country.