Overwhelming support for Zuma, allies
2012-12-18 17:28
Bloemfontein - It was an overwhelming victory for
President Jacob Zuma, his allies and supporters on Tuesday as he secured a
second term as the ANC's leader.
Zuma won the presidency with 2 983 votes to his deputy
Kgalema Motlanthe, who received 991 votes at the party's national elective
conference.
Of the 3 977 votes two were spoilt and there was one
abstention.
Delegates in the plenary marquee erupted in cheers before
the electoral commission could finish announcing Zuma's win.
Most of the delegates chanted "Zuma, Zuma,
Zuma".
They waved ANC flags, blew vuvuzelas and shouted
"Phinda Msholozi" (do it again, Msholozi).
Zuma took his place on the stage smiling and shaking hands
with people around him.
It took a while for delegates to settle down so that the
announcement of results could continue.
The hotly contested position of ANC deputy president was
won by businessman Cyril Ramaphosa with an overwhelming 3 018 votes.
He was contested by Mathews Phosa and Tokyo Sexwale, the
candidates for those calling for a change of leadership in the party. Phosa
received 470 votes and Sexwale 463.
There were 13 spoilt votes and 13 abstentions.
Cheers for Ramaphosa
The marquee vibrated with cheers as Ramaphosa moved
towards the stage.
Security had to clear a path as people flocked around
him.
Ramaphosa hugged Zuma as he reached his place on the
stage.
National chair Baleka Mbete retained her position. She
beat Thandi Modise with 3 010 votes to 939.
There were five spoilt votes and 23 abstentions.
Zuma supporters from Limpopo mocked those who opposed the
president and his allies.
They rolled their hands, as is done in soccer matches to
call for a player's substitution, and added a thumbs-down to it.
"Change?... uhmmm..," they murmured.
Some held up copies of the New Age newspaper which had a
picture of the Zuma slate on the front page.
Top six
The position of secretary-general was retained by Gwede
Mantashe.
He was contested by Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula.
Mantashe received 3 058 votes while Mbalula got 901.
There were six spoilt votes and 12 abstentions.
Delegates sang "we want a secretary with
content".
Mantashe and Ramaphosa shared a hug, congratulating each
other.
Former presidency spokesperson Jessie Duarte was elected
unopposed as Mantashe's deputy.
As she made her way to the stage delegates chanted her
name.
The final top six position of treasurer general went to
KwaZulu-Natal chairperson Zweli Mkhize.
He was voted in with 2 988 votes, beating Gauteng
chairperson Paul Mashatile, who received 961 votes.
There were six spoilt votes and 22 abstentions.
The newly elected officials had all appeared on the
so-called "Zuma slate".
During the lunch time break supporters stood outside the
marquee and celebrated by singing songs in support of their leaders.
- SAPA
