Durban - eThekwini mayor James Nxumalo is a frontrunner in the race to lead the ANC’s biggest region with nomination from more than 50 percent of the branches in eThekwini, according to supporters.
Nxumalo confirmed this week that he was aware that several branches have nominated him for various positions.
“I cannot deny it, but I will have to weigh my options and there’s still enough time for me to make up my mind about whether I will want to accept nomination or not. Doing that, I will also have to take into cognisance the needs of the organisation, like maintaining the unity. I will do that without interfering with the process of the branches,” said Nxumalo.
If Nxumalo enters the race, he will be up against one of the strongest regional candidates in Zandile Gumede, the current treasurer in the region, an Executive Committee member, and Ward 53 councillor.
Nxumalo is viewed as a sound ANC cadre with good political judgement. The former council Speaker will also fulfil the wishes of the region, which wants the regional chair to also become the mayor.
Nxumalo, who is also the KwaZulu-Natal SACP chairman, was propped up by those who were lobbying for former regional chairman Bheki Cele to again serve as chair in the region. The group lobbying for Cele, who is the deputy minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, was dealt a blow last week when ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe sent a letter to all provinces instructing members that those who served on higher structures such as the provincial and national executive committees could not serve on the lower structures.
Cele serves on the National Executive Committee.
In his letter, Mantashe said the ANC was advocating for upward mobility of its members and not the other way round.
His letter comes in the wake of massive jostling among senior national and provincial executive committee members positioning themselves for the provincial and regional leadership positions ahead of the provincial conferences and local government election in 2016.
However, the ANC has the prerogative to choose its mayors, especially those that lead metros and districts.
“Comrade James is an ideal cadre of the movement and he is also the mayor of the metro, which is a cherry on top for us,” said one of Cele’s former backers.
The Sunday Tribune could not reach Cele for comment.
Cele was elected to the ANC National Executive Committee at its 53rd conference in Mangaung in December 2012, after a two-year political sabbatical and obscurity following his dismissal as commissioner of the police service .
Reports that Cele was being punted for the chairmanship in the region gained momentum in June. However, he denied it.
Cele did, however, admit at the time that he had been lobbied, but refused to entertain any questions.
Provincial ANC secretary Sihle Zikalala confirmed that a letter was sent to all the ANC members advising that those in higher structures could not serve in lower structures.
This is apparently one of the Mangaung conference resolutions.
“The letter was not directed at Comrade Bheki, but it was meant for all members,” Zikalala said.
Nxumalo is being campaigned for under the banner “Organised regiment for takeover”.
An eThekwini ANC leader confirmed that the letter from Mantashe was triggered by the Cele issue.
“There’s actually nothing surprising about this move from the head office,” said the source.
“A resolution was taken in Mangaung that to avoid senior comrades abusing their seniority by vying for lower structure positions, those serving in higher structures should remain there to avoid conflicts and manipulating some processes.”
Nxumalo will be up against the current regional treasurer Zandile Gumede as well as incumbent secretary Bheki Ntshangase.
Sunday Tribune