South Africa’s ruling African National Congress will vote for its leaders at the end of the year, with President Jacob Zuma set to win re-election. If Zuma wins the party race, he will be on a path to serve a second term as the country’s president, meaning he will be in office until 2019. Here is a look at some of the power brokers in the ruling party race..
JACOB ZUMA
* His greatest advantage is the support of his home province KwaZulu Natal, which accounts for a quarter of the votes in the ANC election to be held in December in Manguang.
* Zuma is seen as a man of the people and while his comments may not inspire international investors, he is able to play the role of populist at home. His can also use state and party apparatus to undermine challengers.
* To win firm backing from unions, he may push through a raft of pro-labour legislation that economists said will increase unemployment by increasing costs and regulations on employers.
KGALEMA MOTLANTHE
* Considered a “Mr Fix it” who is widely seen by the public as a man of integrity. During his eight month stint as caretaker president in 2008 to 2009 he helped restore calm to politics after President Thabo Mbeki was dumped by the ANC before his second term ended.
* The deputy president is a former unionist with widespread support from labour, the ANC Youth League and the ANC’s provincial structures. But he does not have enough delegates yet to defeat Zuma.
JULIUS MALEMA
* Even though the ANC Youth League leader has been expelled from the party, he is one of the ANC best speakers and could be a thorn in Zuma’s side.
* He has ignited firestorms by playing the race card in a country scarred by apartheid, defying ANC top brass and calling for the takeover of mines and white-owned land.
* He also has won the support of millions of poor blacks angry at the ANC for not doing enough to better their fortunes.
TOKYO SEXWALE
* Sexwale is a prison comrade of for President Nelson Mandela, a business mogul and senior statesman of the party.
* He is a dark horse candidate who would trail Zuma and Motlanthe in delegate support.
* His personal fortune makes him a factor in the race and he could offer his backing in exchange for the post of deputy president, putting himself in a position to win the presidency in 2019.
GWEDE MANTASHE
* The ANC’s secretary general and former trade unionist will run the elective conference in December and controls the event.
* He is a powerful lieutenant and a leftist with a thin skin who often lashes out at critics.
* For now he appears loyal to Zuma who he helped bring into power but could shift to the “pro-change” camp to support Motlanthe, who cut his teeth in the same union as Mantashe.
FACTBOX - Power brokers in the ANC
South Africa’s ruling African National Congress will vote for its leaders at the end of the year, with President Jacob Zuma set to win re-election. If Zuma wins the party race, he will be on a path to serve a second term as the country’s president, meaning he will be in office until 2019. Here is a look at some of the power brokers in the ruling party race..
JACOB ZUMA
* His greatest advantage is the support of his home province KwaZulu Natal, which accounts for a quarter of the votes in the ANC election to be held in December in Manguang.
* Zuma is seen as a man of the people and while his comments may not inspire international investors, he is able to play the role of populist at home. His can also use state and party apparatus to undermine challengers.
* To win firm backing from unions, he may push through a raft of pro-labour legislation that economists said will increase unemployment by increasing costs and regulations on employers.
KGALEMA MOTLANTHE
* Considered a “Mr Fix it” who is widely seen by the public as a man of integrity. During his eight month stint as caretaker president in 2008 to 2009 he helped restore calm to politics after President Thabo Mbeki was dumped by the ANC before his second term ended.
* The deputy president is a former unionist with widespread support from labour, the ANC Youth League and the ANC’s provincial structures. But he does not have enough delegates yet to defeat Zuma.
JULIUS MALEMA
* Even though the ANC Youth League leader has been expelled from the party, he is one of the ANC best speakers and could be a thorn in Zuma’s side.
* He has ignited firestorms by playing the race card in a country scarred by apartheid, defying ANC top brass and calling for the takeover of mines and white-owned land.
* He also has won the support of millions of poor blacks angry at the ANC for not doing enough to better their fortunes.
TOKYO SEXWALE
* Sexwale is a prison comrade of for President Nelson Mandela, a business mogul and senior statesman of the party.
* He is a dark horse candidate who would trail Zuma and Motlanthe in delegate support.
* His personal fortune makes him a factor in the race and he could offer his backing in exchange for the post of deputy president, putting himself in a position to win the presidency in 2019.
GWEDE MANTASHE
* The ANC’s secretary general and former trade unionist will run the elective conference in December and controls the event.
* He is a powerful lieutenant and a leftist with a thin skin who often lashes out at critics.
* For now he appears loyal to Zuma who he helped bring into power but could shift to the “pro-change” camp to support Motlanthe, who cut his teeth in the same union as Mantashe.
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