Johannesburg – The recent ouster of the KwaZulu Natal (KZN) premier (Senzo Mchunu) and his possible redeployment to the national assembly as a back bencher has exposed the deep divisions in President Zuma home province as the succession battle intensifies.
The premier last year as the incumbent chairman of the ANC in the province lost to his bitter rival Sihle Zikalala in a fierce contest that saw the first elections (which he won) annulled by the ANC head office for irregularities and only to lose marginally in the new vote.
Gwede Mantashe, the Secretary General of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) is on record saying the succession issue will only be open for discussion in 2017.
However, the reality is that, the horse has already bolted and people are positioning themselves in good stead for the next administration.
This scenario has strengthened the Zuma camp that favours the president’s former wife, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma who is current the African Union (AU) Commission chairperson taking over from President Zuma instead of Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.
She has indicated that she will not seek another term as AU chair when her current term ends and all indications are that she stands a good chance of being South Africa’s next president.
She enjoys the support of Sihle Zakalala (ANC Chairman – KZN), her home province and the premier club comprised of premiers of the North-West, Mpumalanga and Free-State provinces.
The current calls for a woman president are meant to smoothen her way and garner support within the party structures.
Ramaphosa is likely to put up a strong fight given that he previously missed out to Mandela’s hand-picked successor, Thabo Mbeki. However, he could accept fate and boost his chances of remaining a deputy president and further 10year wait to the apex, which by then will present new dynamics as well, with no guarantees.
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