Cape Town - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa’s visit to the Western Cape this week has all but cemented support from the province in backing him to take over the ANC presidency at the party’s elective conference in December.
And even though the Western Cape ANC will send the fewest delegates, analysts have indicated that with a race this tight, every vote will count.
Ramaphosa was in the city on Friday to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the National Health Education & Allied Workers Union (Nehawu), where members chanted their support for his election.
Nehawu’s provincial chairperson, Philiswa Nzimande, warned that the road to the conference would be littered with people trying to buy votes.
ANC provincial secretary Faiez Jacobs wouldn’t be drawn into making pronouncements on a preferred candidate.
This past week, around 30 meetings were held, with another 50 set to take place over the weekend. Around 180 branches across the province will elect the delegates and list their preferred candidates.
“Although there was a big push for the Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma camp, the clear over-whelming message we are getting from the branches is that they are for Ramaphosa,” said a provincial executive committee member who wished to not be identified.
Former minister of transport and strong Ramaphosa supporter Derek Hanekom tweeted earlier this week that "‘at least 80% of the branches in the Western Cape support Cyril Ramaphosa".