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Zuma supporters mock Kgalema

UNSUCCESFUL: Defeated Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe poses for a photograph yesterday.Photo: DANIEL BORN
UNSUCCESFUL: Defeated Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe poses for a photograph yesterday.Photo: DANIEL BORN

"IWILE imbuzi! (the goat has fallen)," screamed a delegate leaning out of a car window as it cruised slowly up Nelson Mandela Drive, hooting in celebration shortly after President Jacob Zuma had secured re-election.

The goat is a mocking reference to ousted deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe's trademark silver goatee.

Vehicles adorned with ANC flags and stickers that read "Zumaholics" brought traffic to a standstill outside the main entrance to the University of the Free State where the conference is taking place.

Inside the plenary sessions, jubilant Zuma supporters sang and danced while making "V" signs, drowning out the electoral commissioner who had just announced Motlanthe's bruising loss.

"Thupa Thupa yeo (that beating)," sang one half of the Limpopo delegation inside the plenary venue as one by one, the margin of defeat for Motlanthe's running mates - treasurer-general Mathews Phosa, deputy secretary-general Thandi Modise and national executive committee members Tokyo Sexwale, Fikile Mbalula and Paul Mashatile - was revealed.

Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane, a Zuma ally, led the singing, while her provincial chairman, Mashatile, and secretary, David Makhura, looked on.

Mashatile congratulated Cyril Ramaphosa, who was seated next to him, when it was announced that the latter had been elected the party's deputy president.

ANC Youth League deputy president Ronald Lamola, who had been critical of Zuma, ran to the stage to embrace and congratulate the newly elected officials.

National chaplain Reverend Vukile Mehana managed to get the crowd to calm down for a prayer. He asked God to help the new leadership perform their duties.

Mandla Mnyandu, a delegate from Ekurhuleni, said Zuma''s victory was a demonstration that members supported the party rather than individuals.

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