A “surprise party” for the newly elected ANC eThekwini regional chairwoman, Zandile Gumede, backfired spectacularly on Monday when she allegedly snubbed the mysterious event.
Now two groups, involved in the co-ordination of the party are pointing fingers at each other over the flop.
The event organiser said the poorly attended party had gone ahead as planned, while the ANC in the region said it had been called off and they were not involved.
According to an invitation sent to The Mercury on Sunday evening, the event was a “surprise celebration party” for Gumede.
The party was set to also “acknowledge” her being the first woman to chair the ruling party’s largest region.
About 250 guests were expected to attend the party at Coastlands Umhlanga Hotel on Monday, but The Mercury understands that only about 80 pitched up, many of them late.
It is believed that R150 000 had been paid for the event. At the hotel, a venue hall was set up, draped in ANC colours and with images of a beaming Gumede. A hotel insider said it cost R10 000 to host a function in the venue.
According to the programme, a number of high- ranking ANC leaders were expected to grace the occasion as guests and speakers.
They included provincial chairman Sihle Zikalala and provincial secretary Super Zuma. Social Development Minister and ANC women’s league chairwoman Bathabile Dlamini was listed as guest speaker.
President Jacob Zuma’s brother, Joseph, was going to give a “vote of thanks from the elder”.
None of them turned up.
Event organiser Ntombenhle Tembe appeared subdued when approached for comment on Tuesday.
She said the party went ahead despite Gumede’s no-show.
The ANC in eThekwini, however, yesterday distanced itself from the event. Regional secretary Bheki Ntuli said, according to his knowledge, plans for the surprise party had been cancelled. He refused to give reasons for the cancellation.
He said preparations were only at “conception stage” and nothing had been finalised.
Tembe denied this, saying: “It is amazing for them to say that, because we were organising this with them. I can’t disclose much to you, but we were together in this. But there was suddenly a difference of opinion on the final day. Some people felt it would be inappropriate, politically. Everything was in order until then.” It was then decided that the party could go ahead, but Gumede would not make an appearance “to protect her”.
Ntuli said: “From our knowledge, there were certain women who were planning a Christmas party and a party for Gumede. It was still an idea and nothing came of it; it fizzled out.
“We know nothing about the event at the hotel. There really isn’t more to say on the matter.”
Asked to elaborate on why plans for the “Christmas party” failed, he said he could not, but the party would be organised for a later date.
The ANC’s KwaZulu-Natal spokesman, Mdumiseni Ntuli, said the party was aware of the event, but on Monday it was advised that the event had been called off.
“As you say, it was a surprise party. It was an event organised in a way that was not public.
“I personally heard that there might be a surprise party. I wanted to confirm with the regional secretary, Bheki Ntuli, but then he told me at about 12 noon that it was no longer going to go ahead. I was keen to see who were the organisers of this surprise,” he said.
Attempts to get comment from Gumede yesterday were unsuccessful.
The Mercury