Mvuyo Mati

Mvuyo Mati

The Eastern Cape ANC leadership battle promises to be a bruising affair.

The support of seven ANC regions is split between former education MEC Stone Sizani and erstwhile Eastern Cape Development Corporation chief executive Mcebisi Jonas.

At least five regions have nominated Sizani for the provincial chairmanship. The other two prefer Jonas to lead their party in the province.

The ANC provincial conference, to be held in Alice at the end of this month, was originally planned for August but was postponed because of the acrimonious power struggle between two factions in the party.

Though Sizani is tipped as the favourite, the weeks before the conference will be a time of ruthless rivalry between the two nominees.

Both have been intensifying their lobbying in a bid to edge the other out. Jonas is being helped by ANC heavyweights who are turning the screws on Sizani to withdraw.

The conference will be held at the University of Fort Hare .