Zuma succession debate overshadows ANC conference

The president of the trade union federation Cosatu, which is allied to the ANC, Sdumo Dlamini, recently told a workers’ march that it was too early to talk about the ANC’s succession race, and those who did so were putting the party at risk.

He said: “We say to the ANC: 2017 is two years from now, the rush to debate about the leadership in 2017 is a recipe for disaster for all of us.”

Another influential supporter of President Zuma, Blade Nzimande who is also minister of Higher Education and leader of the South African Communist Party (SACP) warned a crowd of protesters, who were standing in the heatwave currently sweeping Johannesburg, against ambitious politicians who use money to secure delegates’ support.

He said: “If you buy delegates for the conference it means nawe [you too] can be bought. They will be bought by the single highest imperialist bidder.”

While delegates insist that they are just going to deliberate about policy matters such as education, health, and the economy, behind the scenes, the different factions will be hard at work lobbying for their preferred candidate.

The fight for the soul of the ruling party is in full swing, whether on the record or off it.