Durban - Buoyed by successfully pushing for Bheki Mtolo to become ANC's provincial secretary in KwaZulu-Natal in a recent conference, the Harry Gwala region is eyeing another top and influential position in provincial politics.
As the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) prepares to hold its elective conference at the end of the month, current Harry Gwala regional secretary Qiniso Mnguni has emerged as a favourite for the provincial secretary position.
Mnguni was also elected regional deputy secretary for the mother body in a conference that was held in Kokstad in April where Zamo Nxumalo was re-elected to be regional chairperson.
ANCYL regional spokesperson Nomusa Phungula said it was one of the resolutions of their conference a few months ago that Mnguni must contest the secretary position, adding that all the subregions were fully behind him to take the provincial secretary position. Besides Mnguni, Phungula said they also want three members from Harry Gwala on the youth league provincial executive committee.
Harry Gwala successfully campaigned for Mtolo to be elected as provincial secretary. Mtolo is expected to leave his position as Kokstad mayor at the end of the month to work full-time as party provincial secretary.
One of Mnguni's chief lobbyists, Zethembe Mkhize, who is the league’s regional secretary in Mbuso Kubheka region (Newcastle), said Mnguni was backed by many regions in the province to take over as youth provincial secretary. Mkhize said besides the Harry Gwala region where Mnguni comes from, there are many regions that have pronounced that they would support him.
“My region (Mbuso Kubheka) is solid behind Mnguni and many others including eThekwini, Lower South Coast, Inkosi Bhambatha, so we are clear and confident that Mnguni would be elected as new provincial secretary come the conference at the end of the month,” said Mkhize.
He added that for the first time the youth league could be led by a woman as many branches had indicated that they want a woman chairperson.
Mnguni refused to comment, saying the nomination of leaders was the work of party branches which must be respected.
Currently, the league is under a task team after the national youth task team disbanded the provincial structure which was led by former Education MEC Kwazi Mshengu and Thanduxolo Sabelo as chairperson and secretary respectively.
Daily News