MOLOKO MOLOTO
THE ANC in Limpopo wants to bring former President Thabo Mbeki’s close allies, who were dumped after the Polokwane conference five years ago, back to the party’s national executive committee (NEC) in an apparent attempt to bolster the provincial ANC’s anti-Jacob Zuma offensive in Mangaung.
According to a nomination list compiled by the provincial executive committee (PEC), Mbeki’s former cabinet ministers – Valli Moosa, Jabu Moleketi and Thoko Didiza – are among its preferred candidates for the NEC.
The Star has seen the list.
Other candidates include former ANC deputy secretary general Sanki Mthembi-Mahanyele, former Reserve Bank governor Tito Mboweni, fired national police commissioner General Bheki Cele and Cosatu boss Zwelinzima Vavi.
The provincial ANC wants Deputy President Kgamela Motlanthe to take over as ANC leader from President Zuma. It is led by Limpopo Premier Cassel Mathale, who is a close ally of expelled, former ANC Youth League leader, Julius Malema.
Although Malema was once Mbeki’s chief critic, he had made overtures to the former ANC leader and his supporters in the months leading to his expulsion – after the fire-brand fell out with Zuma.
Malema publicly praised Mbeki as one of the “best ANC leaders”, in what was widely seen as an assault on Zuma’s leadership.
The Star also understands that the province wants Mathale to be elevated into the NEC, the party’s highest decision-making structure between conferences, and to later be appointed a minister.
According to a provincial leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not the party’s official spokesman, the PEC would push for Mathale to get a cabinet position after the 2014 general elections – should Motlanthe win.
A regional leader, who requested anonymity because he did not want his name revealed in the media, said Mathale will not offer to resign as premier even if Zuma were to retain his position.
“He will stay there and it will depend on the president,” he said.
Three Limpopo MECs are also ear-marked for NEC positions.
They are Education MEC Dickson Masemola, who has broken ranks with the provincial executive by supporting Zuma, Provincial Treasury MEC David Masondo and Public Works MEC Thabitha Mohlala.
If elected to the NEC, Mathale and others will relinquish their positions in the provincial executive, said the sources.
ANC branches in the province will nominate party leaders for the ANC’s December conference in Mangaung, Free State, this weekend.
They are expected to endorse Motlanthe as their candidate for the presidency.
Limpopo is the third largest ANC province in terms of total membership, after KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. It is also the home province of Malema, the face of the campaign to dislodge Zuma.