Limpopo branch nominated Patrice Motsepe for ANC Presidency

A Limpopo branch has nominated billionaire businessman Patrice Motsepe to run for ANC president against President Cyril Ramaphosa and former health minister Dr. Zweli Mkhize.

According to a branch of the campaign Unity 2022, Motsepe is the only person “not seen to be corrupt” to lead the country.

While Motsepe, the president of the Confederation of African Football, is unlikely to accept the nomination from the Malekeng Magane branch in ward 12 Fetakgomo-Tubatse in Sekhukhune, it would make for an interesting elective conference if he did.

Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu and Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma are also running.

The Limpopo ANC provincial executive committee (PEC), which has endorsed Ramaphosa for the top job, will be seen as defying the branch.

However, in an interview with Independent Media yesterday, branch deputy chairperson Emmanuel Makgoga dismissed the PEC’s claims, claiming that the PEC was not being truthful in the run-up to the elective conference.

The Limpopo ANC has joined forces with KwaZulu-Natal to oppose the step-aside resolution at the conference. KZN supports Mkhize as party leader.

“We have comrades in all the provinces lobbying other branches to support Motsepe and we have spoken to him and have written to him. He has not agreed that he would stand nor has he disagreed.
“We don’t expect him to say yes now. Even the current president (Ramaphosa) has not raised his hand to say he is standing,” Makgoga said.

He stated that he did not believe Limpopo would support Ramaphosa because they agreed with KZN on all other issues. “They’ll never vote for Ramaphosa,” he predicted.

Motsepe was unavailable for comment.

Mkhize has been nominated as president by some wards in KZN, but Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu has been nominated as his deputy.

Mchunu, who is supported by Ramaphosa, is seen as a unifying figure in the race for some branches in KwaZulu-Natal.

Meanwhile, the Sam Ntuli branch ward 54 in Ekurhuleni has nominated Mkhize as president, Mmamoloko Kubayi as deputy president, Supra Mahumapelo as secretary-general, Nomvula Mokonyane as deputy secretary-general, Dlamini Zuma as national chairperson, and Mzwandile Masina as treasurer.

Carl Niehaus and former ANC Women’s League president Bathabile Dlamini have been mentioned several times by various branches.
Ronald Lamola, Thabang Makwetla, Robert McBride, David Makhura, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, and Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams are also preferred NEC members.

Dlamini declined to comment further, citing the ongoing nominations process.

Niehaus, who was nominated in several other branches, including Ward 117 in Greater Johannesburg, stated, “It is not the only nomination. Many branches throughout the country, in all nine provinces, have nominated me. I am humbled by the trust that ANC comrades are placing in me. I am prepared to accept the nominations, and I am prepared to serve.”

Ward 117 Greater Johannesburg also nominated Mkhize to be president, Paul Mashatile to be deputy president, Phumulo Masualle to be secretary-general, Nomvula Mokonyane to be deputy secretary-general, Dlamini Zuma to be national chairperson, and Andile Lungisa to be treasurer.