There were very few surprises on Tuesday when the head of the ANC electoral committee, former President Kgalema Motlanthe, revealed the names of the 18 candidates who will contest for the top six positions at next month’s elective conference.
INCUMBENT ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa and former health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize will contest the position of party president, while current treasurer-general Paul Mashatile, Justice Minister Ronald Lamola and Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane have been named as candidates for the deputy position.
The candidates for national chairperson are Stanley Mathabatha, current chairperson Gwede Mantashe and David Masondo.
The candidates for the crucial position of secretary-general are Mdumiseni Ntuli, Phumulo Masualle and Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula.
Nomvula Mokonyane and Febe Potgieter have been nominated for deputy secretary-general, while Benjamin Chauke, Pule Mabe and Mzwandile Masina have been nominated for treasurer-general.
Once candidates accept the nomination, the electoral committee will check if the candidates are affected by the rules that do not permit certain members to stand, such as those found guilty of, or facing, charges of serious crime or corruption, and issues of ethical or immoral conduct.
One glaring anomaly is the lack of women representation in the nominees in the top six, but secretary of the committee Chief Livhuwani Matsila said the electoral rules are pro-women and youth and the list was not final, as people could still be nominated from the floor when the conference starts on December 16.
If 25% of the delegates endorse someone who has been nominated from the floor, then the list will be updated, said Matsila.
“There are still 80 additional NEC members to be nominated and we believe we will be able to ensure 50% women representation when we look at the additional nominees,” he said.
