BRANCHES of the ANC visited former president Jacob Zuma to seek wisdom before the provincial conference set to take place next month.
Leaders of about 11 regions visited Zuma’s home in Nkandla, northern KZN, on Tuesday, 7 June.
The leaders, who had a meeting with Zuma, said they were there just to seek advice and to discuss other problems the organisation is facing in the province.
Popular faces and those who have not been shy to show Zuma support during difficult times were in attendance.
They included eThekwini regional chairwoman Zandile Gumede, who also has a pending court case against her, Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba, who is the former mayor of Newcastle Municipality, Nokuhamba Nyawo from the Far North region and Sphila Mdaka, who was the most influential cadre in the northern part of the province.
Mdaka said it was very crucial for branches to meet and prepare so that they’ll will be able to deliver a credible conference.
“We seek to bring unity in the organisation so that we can claim our space in lost grounds. Our visit to Zuma was to seek wisdom and to engage on a number of issues,” said Mdaka.
said the purpose of their visit was to seek wisdom and to pledge their support to Zuma. “We never discussed leadership for the upcoming conference but we discussed how we can reshape our organisation. We discussed principles of the organisation.”
“Zuma emphasised that we must use the policies of the ANC through the eye of the needle when we look at the question of leadership,” said Mahlaba.
Mahlaba is rumoured to be one of the people that the branches want to elect as the provincial chairperson in the upcoming conference.
Responding to that, Mahlaba said he is in no hurry to lead anywhere else but if the branches of the ANC choose to deploy him in that position, he is obliged to serve them.
He said: “I am in no hurry to lead anywhere else. I have responsibilities in my region.
“Age is not on my side but I am subjected to the will of the branches as a disciplined cadre.”
If these rumours are true, Mahlaba will be joining provincial deputy secretary Nomusa Dube-Ncube, who has also raised her hand for the provincial chair position.
