Mabuyane pushes for ANC deputy president job

By Celani Sikhakhane

• Oscar Mabuyane campaigns for ANC Deputy President and third Eastern Cape chairperson term ahead of the congress on 26 March.

• Mabuyane has support from five Eastern Cape regions but his campaign lacks media attention according to sources within party structures.

The campaign for Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane to become ANC Deputy President has intensified ahead of the party’s elective congress next month.

Mabuyane is being supported by Secretary General Fikile Mbalula’s faction in his bid for the national position. He is also campaigning for a third term as Eastern Cape Provincial Chairperson.

The provincial elective congress is scheduled for 26 March this year.

Sources within the ANC structures said Mabuyane has support from most regions in the Eastern Cape but his campaign is struggling with media visibility.

Five regions are backing Mabuyane. They are Chris Hani, Alfred Ndzo, Joe Gqhabi, Nelson Mandela and Dr WB Rhubusane.

“Our challenge at the moment is that Diya doesn’t get much media attention and we are all worried about this problem because the congress is taking place next month. But we are confident that he will get a third term,” a source said.

Diya is Mabuyane’s clan name.

Another source confirmed that Mabuyane has backing from powerful regions in the Eastern Cape.

Two structures have not yet convened their regional conferences. Sarah Bartman was scheduled to meet on Thursday and Amathole is set to meet a week before the provincial conference.

Mabuyane’s faction is also pushing former regional chair Xolile Nkompela to become Provincial Treasurer.

A group led by Regional Chair Mesuli Ngqondwana wants to become deputy chair under Mabuyane.

Meanwhile, current Secretary Lulama Ngcukaitobi is tipped to contest for Provincial Chairperson.

Ngcukaitobi told Scrolla.Africa he has been approached by some leaders and branches to contest the chairperson position. However, he said he is busy with preparation for the congress to take place smoothly next month.

Pictured above: Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane campaigns for ANC leadership positions.

Image source: ANC Eastern Cape