THE breakdown in the relationship between President Jacob Zuma and his deputy, Kgalema Motlanthe, came out into the open yesterday when the latter openly declared his intentions to challenge his boss for the ANC presidency.
In a drama-filled day, in which the dominant Zuma faction booed and jeered everytime his name was mentioned, Motlanthe withdrew his nomination for his current position so he could contest Zuma.
Inside the huge white marquee tension was obvious as the party's electoral commission confirmed nominations.
First to be called were Zuma and Motlanthe's names as the only candidates for the top job. Zuma got the loudest cheers compared with mild applause for Motlanthe.
After Motlanthe's withdrawal of his nomination for deputy president, which he had earlier accepted, the ANC's second most important position was contested by businessman Cyril Ramaphosa, Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale and outgoing ANC treasurer-general Mathews Phosa.
The incumbent, Gwede Mantashe, went up against Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula for the position of secretary-general.
North West premier Thandi Modise and Baleka Mbete face off for national chairperson after the other nominees, Free State premier Ace Magashule and ambassador to Italy Thenjiwe Mtintso declined nomination.
Jesse Duarte was elected unopposed as the ANC's deputy secretary-general after the other candidates - Mbalula, Modise, Mtintso and Phoebe Potgieter-Gqubule - withdrew their names.
KwaZulu-Natal ANC chairman Zweli Mkhize and his Gauteng counterpart, Paul Mashatile, are running for treasurer-general
Though Zuma's slate is expected to win, the so-called Forces of Change group, which backs Motlanthe, were still in a fighting mood.
Shortly after the nomination process Motlanthe's supporters held an impromptu mini rally in the main campus' parking lot. The meeting was addressed by Western Cape provincial secretary Songezo Mjongile, who urged them to fight until the end.
He said Zuma's position had to be challenged "for the sake of (protecting) the image of the ANC". He said their choice of leadership would bring hope and restore the ANC's image. He described Zuma's ANC as the "ANC of Guptas".
"Comrades, our date with destiny has arrived," Mjongile said. "The hour has arrived, comrades. We knew the road was going to be difficult ... even the highest court in the land can be undermined. The Free State delegation is not supposed to be here. These comrades were elected at an illegal gathering.
"We stand firm on our convictions ... None of us is going to run away. We must never be afraid," Mjongile said in reference to the earlier drama in which the participation of the Free State delegation was questioned.
Also in attendance was ANC Youth League acting president Ronald Lamola, Johannesburg mayor Parks Tau, Gauteng MEC for sports Lebogang Maile and infrastructure development MEC Qedani Mahlangu.
Daggers drawn as Motlanthe steps in
THE breakdown in the relationship between President Jacob Zuma and his deputy, Kgalema Motlanthe, came out into the open yesterday when the latter openly declared his intentions to challenge his boss for the ANC presidency.
In a drama-filled day, in which the dominant Zuma faction booed and jeered everytime his name was mentioned, Motlanthe withdrew his nomination for his current position so he could contest Zuma.
Inside the huge white marquee tension was obvious as the party's electoral commission confirmed nominations.
First to be called were Zuma and Motlanthe's names as the only candidates for the top job. Zuma got the loudest cheers compared with mild applause for Motlanthe.
After Motlanthe's withdrawal of his nomination for deputy president, which he had earlier accepted, the ANC's second most important position was contested by businessman Cyril Ramaphosa, Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale and outgoing ANC treasurer-general Mathews Phosa.
The incumbent, Gwede Mantashe, went up against Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula for the position of secretary-general.
North West premier Thandi Modise and Baleka Mbete face off for national chairperson after the other nominees, Free State premier Ace Magashule and ambassador to Italy Thenjiwe Mtintso declined nomination.
Jesse Duarte was elected unopposed as the ANC's deputy secretary-general after the other candidates - Mbalula, Modise, Mtintso and Phoebe Potgieter-Gqubule - withdrew their names.
KwaZulu-Natal ANC chairman Zweli Mkhize and his Gauteng counterpart, Paul Mashatile, are running for treasurer-general
Though Zuma's slate is expected to win, the so-called Forces of Change group, which backs Motlanthe, were still in a fighting mood.
Shortly after the nomination process Motlanthe's supporters held an impromptu mini rally in the main campus' parking lot. The meeting was addressed by Western Cape provincial secretary Songezo Mjongile, who urged them to fight until the end.
He said Zuma's position had to be challenged "for the sake of (protecting) the image of the ANC". He said their choice of leadership would bring hope and restore the ANC's image. He described Zuma's ANC as the "ANC of Guptas".
"Comrades, our date with destiny has arrived," Mjongile said. "The hour has arrived, comrades. We knew the road was going to be difficult ... even the highest court in the land can be undermined. The Free State delegation is not supposed to be here. These comrades were elected at an illegal gathering.
"We stand firm on our convictions ... None of us is going to run away. We must never be afraid," Mjongile said in reference to the earlier drama in which the participation of the Free State delegation was questioned.
Also in attendance was ANC Youth League acting president Ronald Lamola, Johannesburg mayor Parks Tau, Gauteng MEC for sports Lebogang Maile and infrastructure development MEC Qedani Mahlangu.
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