eThekwini, the ANC’s most significant region in KwaZulu-Natal, is supporting former health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize for the ANC presidency.
The region’s “festival of ideas” meeting this week decided to support Mkhize for ANC president and current ANC treasurer-general Paul Mashatile for ANC deputy president.
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Ethekweni is one of the ANC’s largest regions in the country, and it wields considerable power in support of the leaders it favors.
This was evident at the recent KZN provincial conference, where the region assisted in the removal of former provincial chairperson Sihle Zikalala in favor of Siboniso Duma.
The region’s support for Mkhize and Mashatile may help propel their ambitions for the positions.
This week, ANC branches were nominating candidates for the ANC’s top six and national executive committee.
Branch chairs and secretaries agreed on Zweli Mkhize as future president and Paul Mashatile as deputy president, according to provincial spokesperson Mlondi Mkhize.
The decision comes just a day after the former health minister was given the thumbs up by zone three in his home region of Moses Mabhida, which also decided to back him for president.
At the party’s 55th conference, Zweli Mkhize is expected to go head to head with Cyril Ramaphosa and Cogta MEC Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma for the top job.