Cape Town -
The ANC top 10 candidates in the Western Cape are a mix of former provincial MECs, rural deployments, councillors, members of the alliance partners, and some known and unknown newcomers who will replace the ANC MPLs in the provincial legislature.
The ANC has 14 seats in the provincial legislature.
Although old faithfuls such as ANC chief whip Pierre Uys, ANC MPLs Carol Beerwinkel, Khaya Magaxa and Dorothea Gopie made the top 12, other MPLs such as Max Ozinsky came in at number 16, followed by Zodwa Magwaza, Millicent Nomfundo Tingwe, Chris Stali and Vuyiwe Hani.
ANC provincial chairman Marius Fransman came out tops on the provincial legislature list, with Khaya Magaxa at number two, and former provincial Education MEC Cameron Dugmore at number three.
Other ANC members back in the fold include Richard Dyantyi in fourth place, followed by Sharon Davids, Beerwinkel, Uys, Maurencia Gillion, Siyazi Tyatyam and Roland Olivier.
And Fransman has no fall-back plan or position because he cut ties with the National Assembly and the limelight of his deputy international relations ministry portfolio to focus on Western Cape politics, with his eye on becoming the premier or leader of the opposition.
The ANC leader conceded on Wednesday that it was not an easy task to compile the list, but added that he was confident that the mix of old and new, experienced and first-timers, would be a strong team to take on the DA.
“The list speaks beyond factional interest and reflects an intergenerational mix of experience in governance, with the top 10 being a true representation of the demographics of the Western Cape, both metro and rural, coloured, African and white,” said Fransman.
Calling the list a “critical anchor for the party”, Fransman said they had combined people with strong experience in the government, municipalities and the broader form of the alliance.
“It is a known fact that the ANC in the Western Cape had over many years gone through a bruising time because of a lack of coherence, but we are now focused on the future,” he said.
And for those who did not make the list, Fransman said they would not be forgotten.
“We must make sure that all the comrades that played a role in the national assembly or legislature, those are people who must not be left behind and we must look at what level in the organisation different people have to serve.”
And there was the occasional surprise candidate who made the list, including those who were poached from Cope.
Cope’s former leader in the Western Cape legislature and the province, Mbulelo Ncedana is 19 on the list.
Ncedana could not be reached for comment, but Fransman said it was a case of the prodigal sons returning to the ANC.
“The ANC have said they are taking back what is ours. The 8.8 percent Cope took in the province during the last elections, we are taking it back.”
Cape Argus