Former President Jacob Zuma says he is available to contest for the position of ANC national chairperson at the party’s December conference.
According to a statement issued last night by the former president, he’s been approached by some branches to run for the position of ANC national chairperson.
“I have indicated that I will be guided by the branches of the ANC and that I will not refuse such a call should they deem it necessary for me to serve the organisation again at that level or any other,” said Zuma.
The former president reiterated his support for the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma for party president, despite growing support for former Health Minister Zweli Mkhize.
“There have been rumours in the public domain and the media about my leadership preference for the upcoming conference. I wish to indicate that I have not shifted from the position we had taken in 2017.”
“The candidate that we supported in 2017 at the 54th national conference remains the most capable to lead the ANC, given her track record in the movement and government, leadership capabilities and qualities and her understanding and knowledge of the ANC amongst others,” said Zuma.
Zuma said those opposed to NDZ’s candidature for ANC president have “dismally failed” to present a better candidate but instead have thrown around the names of “those who have a lot of money”.
In the contest for the ANC chair position, Zuma joins current chair Gwede Mantashe, ANC Limpopo provincial chair Stan Mathabatha, and SACP deputy general secretary David Masondo.
Source: The Citizen, Business Day, IOL, image from Twitter