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IN FULL CRY: President Jacob Zuma. photo: SIMPHIWE NKWALI

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Addressing the ruling party's provincial elective conference in Upington yesterday, Zuma slammed the practice of lobbying for positions ahead of conferences, saying it could result in the election of "wrong persons who cannot fulfil the ANC's programme of action".

Zuma told the 800 delegates packed inside a marquee at the town's Eiland Pleasure Resort that they needed to be careful about the character of leaders they elected to office.

"In other words, conference has to look at comrades, their merits, their everything, not just the names. Not because I do toyi-toyi more than everybody else and then I must lead because you are not going to do toyi-toyi everyday. You need a comrade that will help the ANC to grow, to be stronger ... the ANC is an organisation of comrades, not friends."

Zuma's remarks could be viewed as a stab at incumbent John Block, who has set his sights on re-election for a third term in office despite fraud and corruption charges involving hundreds of millions of rands hanging over his head.

Block is facing a challenge from Deputy Minerals Resources Minister Godfrey Oliphant, but earlier indications were that Oliphant would not be able to muster enough support to topple the controversial ANC chairman, who is set to go on trial in the Kimberley High Court in February.

But Block's detractors - he has been occupying the seat since 2004 - accuse him of side-lining those who disagree with him politically.

Zuma, who received a warm welcome, told delegates that differences within the ANC needed to be resolved in a comradely fashion and that the party was not the domain of individuals.

"We acknowledge that at times there are ups and downs but they need to be confronted by comrades, comradely. We need to participate to help solve the problem, not help increase the problem.

"At times, individual comrades become very active in undermining the organisation, at times not just individuals (but) groupings of comrades, almost trying to suggest that the organisation belongs to them ... we need to work hard to maintain the harmony of the ANC," he said.

But Zuma might find the province difficult to manoeuvre as he seeks support for another term at the ruling party's elective conference in Mangaung.

ANC leaders in the Northern Cape are said to have aligned themselves with the "Anyone But Zuma" fever sweeping some sections of the ruling party. They are said to be ready to back either Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe or throw in their lot with Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale.

The conference kicked off yesterday, and elections for new leaders take place today.

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Fri May 24 14:05:32 SAST 2013 ::

Jun 8, 2012

maneater

Choose mature leaders, warns Zuma
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you can bet your last Rand we will. after the disaster of choosing you, we have leant our lesson.
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Jun 8, 2012

PDreamz

Zuma told the 800 delegates packed inside a marquee at the town's Eiland Pleasure Resort that they needed to be careful about the character of leaders they elected to office.
"In other words, conference has to look at comrades, their merits, their everything, not just the names"
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Shooting yourself in the foot yes indeed we all agree after the masses chose to go with an unskilled horny leader like you, NEVER AGAIN
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Jun 8, 2012

Pointman

Astonishing!!! I guess he considers himself to be a morally superior example of a leader. I wonder what standards he has in mind for people in lesser positions than him.
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Jun 8, 2012

JB$

Zuma is the worst president SA has ever seen he's a disgrace
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Jun 8, 2012

Nys1

How Ironic of You - JZ , but Hey , You’re MATURE advise is well recived.
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Jun 8, 2012

BaleliM

Thank you for this insight Mr. Pres, we have learned our lesson very well and we will ensure your name is not short listed.
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Jun 8, 2012

mambaaai

"At times, individual comrades become very active in undermining the organisation, at times not just individuals (but) groupings of comrades, almost trying to suggest that the organisation belongs to them ... we need to work hard to maintain the harmony of the ANC," he said.

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isizulu goupings, ones like family, so so true, groupings to hide the actual facts of what is actually going on........... PS in the office of president of the whole country, harmony in the country is to be looked at
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Jun 8, 2012

asaowe

yr downfall Mr President was yr indecisivness when u wr needed most, in lots of issues, you prioritise yr friendship (get rid of ye enemies) over country, u mess up big time, jst do the honourable don't challege for next term i beg u Mr President, yr image has already tanished the country worldwide.
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Jun 8, 2012

SteveBiko

i couldnt agree more with you Mr dictator this time will choose radical leaders that will impliment the agreed freedom charter, not tribilist leaders who operate in mafia style, by eliminating people who differ political with them...Cde Malema on his way back after Mangaung...
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Jun 8, 2012

DjEp

Mr President you are getting it wrong again, we dont need MATURED leaders we need COMPETENT and ETHICAL leaders. period! you can be as "matured" as you like but if you are not competent for the job you are doing you will mislead the masses. Now here we start ALL OUT in your cabinet none of them is either matured nor competent..
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