Durban - Fed up with an ANC leadership that appeared out of touch with the needs of KwaZulu-Natal residents, a lobby group began holding clandestine meetings to galvanise support among the ruling party’s rank and file in the province.
Their undercover activities saw the group getting the nickname “Taliban” and so successful was their campaign, that they made a clean sweep at the ANC provincial conference on Saturday.
Led by newly elected chairperson Siboniso Duma, the group took the top five positions, toppling the slate which was led by Sihle Zikalala, who was seeking to retain his position as provincial chairperson.
The “Taliban” emerged as the conference’s surprise package as many had predicted the tussle for the top position would be between Zikalala and Nomusa Dube-Ncube.
The grouping profited from a combination of questionable decisions on branches and regional disputes, which led to an “ABS (Anyone But Sihle)” sentiment among ANC members.
One of its lobbyists, who insisted on remaining anonymous, said: “What made this task difficult was that we had no resources but ourselves against a well-oiled machine of theirs.”
However, it was evident on Friday evening at the conference that Zikalala was facing an uphill battle as ANC delegates sang “Phuma, phuma Sihle Phuma” (leave, leave Sihle leave).
Delegates wearing keffiyehs (headdresses) from different regions were leading the song, in a clear show of strength.
Mervin Dirks, a delegate from Moses Mabhida Region, said the group had remained focused on their goals. “These guys know how to work on the ground and they have heard what some leaders have been saying, but they just focused on the task at hand.”
He added that it was important for the younger generation to drive the ANC. Ironically, it was the region’s secretary and Richmond mayor Samora Ndlovu who expressed the region’s support for Zikalala and company.
EThekwini region was one of the key players that ensured Zikalala’s exit from power.
Regional deputy secretary Nkosenhle Madlala laid the ANC’s poor performance in last year’s local government elections at the door of Zikalala’s team.
“Almost the entire province was led by interim structures. And who was responsible for that? It was this leadership that we got rid of this weekend,” he told The Mercury.
He expressed confidence that the new leadership would fare better than the previous one.
According to Madlala, the new leadership had a tough task, especially with the national elections less than 24 months away. Many have questioned how the new leadership would handle the two centres of power, which has been the ANC’s challenge since the toppling of former president Thabo Mbeki in Polokwane back in 2007.
The ANC KZN’s new top five:
Siboniso Duma, provincial chairperson
Mzwandile Mkhwanazi, Duma’s childhood friend and former Youth League member from the Lower South Coast region, said Duma hails from Mtwalume and faced tragedy as a child.
“He lost his parents at an early age. He loved his mother a lot and he lost a pillar of his life when she passed away. They grew up in poverty, but like all mothers she was trying her best to provide for the family,” said Mkhwanazi.
Mkhwanazi said Duma studied at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Pietermaritzburg and he joined the ANC Youth League.
“He comes from the school of the ANC … he is a graduate. He became the provincial secretary of the ANCYL,” said Mkhwanazi. He said Duma was brimming with ideas and the province would benefit from his leadership.
“We need to give him a chance to lead. In 2005 and 2006 he supported former President Jacob Zuma and he believed in the leadership of Zuma. When we were at the Nasrec conference (2017) he strongly supported Cyril Ramaphosa and he defended the principle of the movement.
“He is going to contribute towards the growth of the province.”
Mkhwanazi said Duma was a family man who was devoted to his wife and children.
“He is a born-again Christian who understands God and prayer. That is an important characteristic that I like about him because he fears God and that is what is lacking in society … leaders who fear God.”
Mkhwanazi said Duma was no stranger to the provincial space as he was a Provincial Executive Committee member of the ANC.
“He understands how to work in the collective and he will be an asset to the province.”
Mkhwanazi said Duma’s impoverished background meant that he understood the plight of the poor.
“He understands the triple challenges that face the country.”
Deputy chairperson Nomagugu Simelane
Simelane was appointed MEC for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health in 2019.
Provincial secretary Bhekinkosi Mtolo
Mtolo, who is the mayor of Kokstad, hails from the Harry Gwala region in the south west of KZN. He was friends with slain former ANC Youth League secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa.
Deputy Secretary Sipho Hlomuka
Hlomuka, who was born in Ladysmith, is currently the MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs in KZN.
Provincial Treasurer Ntuthuko Mahlaba
Mahlaba was mayor of Newcastle in May 2019 when he was arrested and charged with the murder of ex-ANC Youth League leader Wandile Ngobeni. His supporters alleged at the time that Police Minister Bheki Cele was behind a plot to persecute and prosecute him, an allegation that was denied by the ministry. The charges were withdrawn a few months later after the State’s main witness was killed.