ANCWL Gauteng wants Zuma to stay
2012-11-20 09:38
Johannesburg - The ANC Women's League in Gauteng decided on Friday that it wants President Jacob Zuma to stay on as the ANC's leader.
"We should give him a chance to finish what he started... The [provincial executive committee] wants change, but we don't," said African National Congress Women's League Gauteng chairperson Patricia Chueu.
Around 30 ANCWL Gauteng members, including members of its provincial executive committee and regional executive committee, took part in nominations for a preferred leader of the ANC in Boksburg on Monday. The proceedings were closed to the media.
Afterwards, Cheu said they wanted Zuma to continue on the work he had started.
"Four of the regions have backed Zuma. Only Sedibeng voted for [Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe]," said deputy chairperson Nonhlanhla Ndaba.
Businessman Cyril Ramaphosa was nominated as deputy chairperson, Gwede Mantashe as secretary-general, and Jesse Duarte as deputy secretary-general.
It had yet to vote on national executive committee (NEC) nominees. The ANCWL said it would deploy more women to the NEC.
Deputy secretary Faith Mazibuko said it wanted 50% of the NEC seats to be taken up by women.
Unconfirmed who branches are backing
Among them would be Cheu, Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane, and Ministers Edna Molewa, Maite Nkoane-Mashane, Lindiwe Sisulu and Ayanda Dlodlo.
"We believe that they can properly represent us... They will put the gender agenda on the ANC agenda all the time," said Mazibuko.
Earlier, the Gauteng ANC could not confirm reports that four of its five regions were backing Motlanthe to take over as ANC president.
"Our position as province is that we don't know who the branches have nominated," said ANC Gauteng spokesperson Dumisa Ntuli.
"We cannot confirm that the branches have decided to back a certain candidate."
The Star reported on Monday that according to "ANC insiders", Motlanthe had the support of the Tshwane, Johannesburg, Sedibeng and West Rand regions. Only the Ekurhuleni region had voted for Zuma.
It also reported that Motlanthe's backers included the branches of Zuma's adviser Lindiwe Zulu, his alleged funders the Gupta brothers, former spy boss Mo Shaik, Science and Technology Minister Derek Hanekom, national executive committee member Billy Masetlha, and ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe.
- SAPA
