By Abdul Waheed Patel
In a landslide victory, Jacob Zuma was today reelected for a second terms as President of the African National Congress (ANC) – the African continent’s oldest liberation movement and South Africa’s ruling party, at is 53rd national and elective conference. The conference kicked off in the city of Mangaung in South Africa’s Free State Province on 16 December, until 20 December 2012. Out of the 4076 registered delegates, 3977 delegates qualified to vote.
Mr. Zuma secured 75% of the vote, firmly strengthening his grip on the party with the backing of a slate of candidates who have swelled the ranks of the upper echelon of the party.
Voting results for the top six positions of the ANC’s National Executive Committee (in order of appearance on the ballot paper)
President:
Jacob Zuma (2982 votes)
Kgalema Motlanthe (991 votes)
Deputy President:
Cyril Ramaphosa (3018)
Tokyo Sexwale (463)
Matthews Phosa (470)
National Chairperson:
Baleka Mbete (3010)
Thandi Modise (939)
Secretary-General:
Gwede Mantashe (3058)
Fikile Mbalula (901)
Deputy Secretary-General:
Jessie Duarte (elected un apposed)
Treasurer General:
Paul Mashatile (961)
Zweli Mkhize (2988)
The focus of the conference now turns to the finalisation of policy resolutions by the conference plenary and the election of the remaining members of the 80-member National Executive Committee of the ANC.
The results of the election of candidates to the ANC NEC will be further indication of how systemic the trend in slate politics might be in take root in the ANC and the extent to which the party faithful balance allegiance with a group of individuals with the competency, capability and skills required to ensured that the policy objectives adopted and can be effectively overseen and accounted for by a broader party leadership that will have to oversee and account for its implementation.
ETHICORE will be closely monitoring, analyzing and reporting on the outcomes and implications of the conference, throughout its duration and on a customized basis for clients thereafter. This includes political and risk analysis, briefing papers and research reports. For more information and enquiries in this regard, kindly do not hesitate to contact us.
Abdul Waheed Patel is Managing Director at ETHICORE Political Consulting. He specialises in policy consulting, analysis and risk, including South African political parties, post-apartheid democratic politics and parliamentary democracy.