While analysts have described the election of Panyaza Lesufi as Gauteng ANC chair as one more enhance for President Cyril Ramaphosa’s probabilities of being re-elected get together boss within the December elective convention, they’ve cautioned the ANC faces uphill battle to woo voter within the 2024 polls.
Lesufi’s first much-awaited media briefing as provincial chair – scheduled to be held at Luthuli House ANC headquarters Monday afternoon – was cancelled attributable to Eskom’s load shedding, which hit your complete downtown Joburg, in accordance get together nationwide spokesperson Pule Mabe.
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In what went down as a tense and carefully fought election, Lesufi bagged 575 votes in comparison with Lebogang Maile’s 543, with the provincial govt committee (PEC) high 5 members representing each political slates.
The elections yielded a gender combine and a few surprises, which included:
- Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, elected Lesufi’s deputy.
- Thembinkosi Nciza (Ekurhuleni), beating Thulani Kunene (Sedibeng) for the submit of provincial secretary by securing 534 votes to Kunene’s 525.
- Tasneem Motara (Ekurhuleni), being elected Nciza’s deputy.
- Morokane Mosupyoe being elected treasurer.
Commenting on the end result, University of SA political science Prof Dirk Kotze and University of Pretoria politics lecturer Roland Henwood agreed Lesufi was in Ramaphosa’s nook, however mentioned he might not ship Gauteng to the ANC within the upcoming nationwide and provincial polls.
While Kotze mentioned Lesufi’s election was “satisfying” for Ramaphosa, it didn’t imply he would entice voters for the ANC.
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“What it means is that sooner or later, he’ll assist to steer the province extra in direction of Ramaphosa’s facet.
“The December ANC nationwide elective convention might be too quickly to evaluate Lesufi. It shouldn’t be a unfavorable end result for Ramaphosa, however he can not take a lot out of it, as being a sign of agency help for him from Gauteng.
“It is a split vote – creating uncertainty on who will support who in December,” mentioned Kotze.
“Whether this may translate into good voter prospects for the ANC in Gauteng, I’m very a lot unsure about it. I don’t assume two years is sufficient to change the general public notion concerning the get together and its help.
“Given last year’s local government elections and the fact that there is a coloration between local and national elections, there is an uphill battle for the ANC ahead.”
Kotze mentioned the outcomes confirmed “what was predicted in terms of being close call – showing a mere 32-vote difference between the two candidates, who battled for the chair position”.
“It also shows that Gauteng is a 50-50 province, without a single group that can claim to be in a dominant position,” mentioned Kotze.
Henwood mentioned it appeared Lesufi would help Ramaphosa going ahead.
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“Indications are Mr Maile will not unreservedly endorse a second term for Mr Ramaphosa – something that will put Gauteng at odds with other provinces who have already declared their positions … supporting Mr Ramaphosa for a second-term as president,” he mentioned.
“Gauteng seems to be deeply divided, negatively impacting the number of votes for Ramaphosa in the December elective conference.”
Henwood mentioned the ANC in Gauteng was “under immense pressure, as trends are negative indicating losing its majority in the province by 2024”.