Durban - Jostling for the leadership of the ANC in the eThekwini region has heated up with both mayor James Nxumalo and the party’s regional treasurer, Zandile Gumede, having declared their interest.
They have both accepted nomination for the party’s chairmanship which will be determined during the party’s regional conference next month.
The Mercury has been reliably told that Health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo, who is the incumbent regional chairman, had also accepted nomination to retain the position.
Nxumalo was first to declare that he had accepted nomination.
He came into the race as plan B for party members who wanted the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Bheki Cele, to take the position.
Cele was forced out of the race by ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe, who told national executive committee members they were not allowed to hold positions in lower structures.
Gumede, who is municipal safety and social services committee chairwoman, declined to comment about her nomination, but the ANC Youth League secretary in eThekwini, Thanduxolo Sabelo, confirmed on her behalf.
Nxumalo is the provincial chairman of the SACP and deputy chairman of the Local Government Association.
He said he was shocked when he first heard that his name had been put forward. He thought it was a joke.
“Then I realised that people were serious.”
He said he consulted the ANC, SACP and Cosatu leadership for their blessing.
“It took me five days to make the decision (to accept the nomination). The alliance leadership said they did not see anything wrong if branches nominated me. But they said I should remember that only the conference would elect the leader.”
Although it was against ANC policy for leaders to announce to the media that they had been nominated, he had to “clear the air” after The Mercury had written about it.
“I am saying I am prepared to take the position if the branches see me fit for it.
“The most important task is to unite the party, maintain stability and dignity,” he said.
However, Sabelo said Nxumalo should concentrate on service provision, because he “did not belong in the race for chairperson”.
He said Gumede would take the position because 90 percent of the branches had nominated her.
“He (Nxumalo) is plan B for people who wanted someone else (Cele). He was never their preferred candidate,” said Sabelo.
When contacted, Dhlomo said: “I don’t talk about such things with the newspapers. ANC issues are discussed within the ANC.”
The Mercury