Rival factions sing of leadership
BATTLE lines were drawn on Thursday when KwaZulu-Natal delegates sang songs in praise of President Jacob Zuma and secretary-general Gwede Mantashe at the ANC national policy conference in Midrand.
This happened just before the delegates went into plenary session where all commissions were expected to give feedback on decisions taken over policies that were under discussion.
Zuma's home province openly showed its support for the president and the secretary-general singing that "Zuma is second transition, Mantashe is second transition" in reference to the controversial document being promoted by Zuma.
Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, who is expected to challenge Zuma in Mangaung, has openly criticised the document that separates the political transition from economic transformation.
A KwaZulu-Natal delegate told Sowetan that the song meant Zuma and Mantashe should be re-elected for a second term at the ANC conference in December.
When Motlanthe was doing a walkabout at the Progressive Business Forum's business lounge he was met with raucous singing of pro-Zuma songs.
The singing continued outside the hall as delegates made their way into the plenary.
But others joined to sing anti-Zuma songs.
The anti-Zuma delegates, mostly from Limpopo, North West, Gauteng and Northern Cape, responded by singing that "le utloile taba tse monate hore Zuma o oa tsamaya", meaning: "Did the [other] delegates hear the good news that Zuma will no longer be their leader?"
The singing continued until both groups were inside the hall where some said they were prepared to fight should a resolution on the second transition be watered down.
Head of policy Jeff Radebe said all commissions have accepted the content and thrust of the document but have agreed to rename it "second phase of transition".
SACP secretary general Blade Nzimande dismissed claims this was a "Zuma document", or that its failure to garner much support would translate into Zuma losing support. He said it was endorsed by the ANC leadership.
ANC - the cracks emerge
Rival factions sing of leadership
BATTLE lines were drawn on Thursday when KwaZulu-Natal delegates sang songs in praise of President Jacob Zuma and secretary-general Gwede Mantashe at the ANC national policy conference in Midrand.
This happened just before the delegates went into plenary session where all commissions were expected to give feedback on decisions taken over policies that were under discussion.
Zuma's home province openly showed its support for the president and the secretary-general singing that "Zuma is second transition, Mantashe is second transition" in reference to the controversial document being promoted by Zuma.
Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, who is expected to challenge Zuma in Mangaung, has openly criticised the document that separates the political transition from economic transformation.
A KwaZulu-Natal delegate told Sowetan that the song meant Zuma and Mantashe should be re-elected for a second term at the ANC conference in December.
When Motlanthe was doing a walkabout at the Progressive Business Forum's business lounge he was met with raucous singing of pro-Zuma songs.
The singing continued outside the hall as delegates made their way into the plenary.
But others joined to sing anti-Zuma songs.
The anti-Zuma delegates, mostly from Limpopo, North West, Gauteng and Northern Cape, responded by singing that "le utloile taba tse monate hore Zuma o oa tsamaya", meaning: "Did the [other] delegates hear the good news that Zuma will no longer be their leader?"
The singing continued until both groups were inside the hall where some said they were prepared to fight should a resolution on the second transition be watered down.
Head of policy Jeff Radebe said all commissions have accepted the content and thrust of the document but have agreed to rename it "second phase of transition".
SACP secretary general Blade Nzimande dismissed claims this was a "Zuma document", or that its failure to garner much support would translate into Zuma losing support. He said it was endorsed by the ANC leadership.
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