Canaan Mdletshe

Canaan Mdletshe

As ANC branches in KwaZulu-Natal continue to finalise their list of candidates for the upcoming Limpopo conference, the back yard of former party leader Albert Luthuli in Groutville has nominated President Thabo Mbeki for the presidency.

The Groutville branch - in the area of Luthuli's home and museum, his graveside and church - said yesterday that they chose to nominate Mbeki as their candidate for ANC leader "against all odds".

Others on the list include Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as deputy president, Joel Netshitenzhe as chairman, Mosiuoa Lekota as secretary-general, Thoko Didiza as deputy secretary-general and Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka as treasurer.

The branch also nominated renowned anti-Zuma campaigner Siyanda Mhlongo as their "voice, eyes and ears" for the Limpopo conference.

Siyanda, the former mayor of KwaDukuza, is a staunch Mbeki supporter and is known for his public statements against Zuma.

Last week, he snubbed Zuma's visit to the area, saying he would "only attend functions where Zuma appeared as ANC deputy president and not as an individual on an election campaign".