THE decision by the Gauteng ANC provincial executive to nominate Kgalema Motlanthe as president has exposed deep-seated divisions within the provincial leadership.
Those who believe that Zuma deserves a second term are crying foul, accusing a faction that is pushing for change of having deep-seated hatred of Zuma and of "trying to create legitimacy" for provincial chairman Paul Mashatile - who was nominated as ANC treasurer.
Mashatile will need two provinces to nominate him to make it as far as the ballot box in Mangaung.
Sowetan understands that several PEC members, including SA Communist Party provincial secretary Jacob Mamabolo, objected to the adoption of the list. But this proved futile as Motlanthe was overwhelmingly supported by the majority.
The list was later rejected by a number of branches at the provincial general council - the highest ANC decision-making body in Gauteng.
A PEC member said the retention of some members who currently form part of the leadership elected in Polokwane in 2007 was based on "Zumaphobia" rather than genuine concerns.
The meeting held in Braamfontein, Joburg, at the weekend and saw some branches singing songs praising Zuma while others sang about Mashatile.
Sowetan understands that those in the Zuma camp were now banking on branch general meetings and a final PGC next month to prove that Motlanthe's nomination was a distortion of what branches really want.
Mashatile, who was nominated to the top six list led by Motlanthe, has been very vocal about the need to renew leadership.
Mashatile told the PGC the Gauteng leadership will back Motlanthe to unseat Zuma at the party's congress in December.
Other names that made it into the PEC top-six list are Tokyo Sexwale, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Gwede Mantashe, Joel Netshitenge, Febe Potgieter, Thandi Modise and Naledi Pandor.
ANC provincial spokesman Dumisa Ntuli denied that the Gauteng leadership's list was motivated by hatred of Zuma.
Meanwhile, Limpopo's PEC also snubbed Zuma in favour of Motlanthe yesterday. Sexwale made it on the list as deputy, Mbalula as secretary-general , Modise as his deputy while Mathews Phosa was retained as treasurer.
Gauteng snub of Zuma lays bare leadership divisions
THE decision by the Gauteng ANC provincial executive to nominate Kgalema Motlanthe as president has exposed deep-seated divisions within the provincial leadership.
Those who believe that Zuma deserves a second term are crying foul, accusing a faction that is pushing for change of having deep-seated hatred of Zuma and of "trying to create legitimacy" for provincial chairman Paul Mashatile - who was nominated as ANC treasurer.
Mashatile will need two provinces to nominate him to make it as far as the ballot box in Mangaung.
Sowetan understands that several PEC members, including SA Communist Party provincial secretary Jacob Mamabolo, objected to the adoption of the list. But this proved futile as Motlanthe was overwhelmingly supported by the majority.
The list was later rejected by a number of branches at the provincial general council - the highest ANC decision-making body in Gauteng.
A PEC member said the retention of some members who currently form part of the leadership elected in Polokwane in 2007 was based on "Zumaphobia" rather than genuine concerns.
The meeting held in Braamfontein, Joburg, at the weekend and saw some branches singing songs praising Zuma while others sang about Mashatile.
Sowetan understands that those in the Zuma camp were now banking on branch general meetings and a final PGC next month to prove that Motlanthe's nomination was a distortion of what branches really want.
Mashatile, who was nominated to the top six list led by Motlanthe, has been very vocal about the need to renew leadership.
Mashatile told the PGC the Gauteng leadership will back Motlanthe to unseat Zuma at the party's congress in December.
Other names that made it into the PEC top-six list are Tokyo Sexwale, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Gwede Mantashe, Joel Netshitenge, Febe Potgieter, Thandi Modise and Naledi Pandor.
ANC provincial spokesman Dumisa Ntuli denied that the Gauteng leadership's list was motivated by hatred of Zuma.
Meanwhile, Limpopo's PEC also snubbed Zuma in favour of Motlanthe yesterday. Sexwale made it on the list as deputy, Mbalula as secretary-general , Modise as his deputy while Mathews Phosa was retained as treasurer.
This article was first published in the printed newspaper and eEdition on 9 October 2012. Click on this link to view the eEdition
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