Ramaphosa beats Mkhize to top spot at ANC conference
The ANC is keeping Cyril Ramaphosa as its president for the next five years.
Cheers erupted on Tuesday afternoon as the names of the party's new top 7 leaders were announced at the party’s 55th national conference at Nasrec, south of Joburg.
Following a tense battle between Ramaphosa and former health minister Zweli Mkhize, the margin of the president’s victory was larger than many expected.
Ramaphosa beat Mkhize by more than 550 votes.
The newly constituted top 7 could also be seen as a victory for the Ramaphosa camp.
While his new deputy - Paul Mashatile - wasn’t his first choice, the rest of the leadership is definitely more pro-Ramaphosa than the previous top six.
Gwede Mantashe’s return as national chairperson was a surprise result when the smart money was on KZN’s Mdumiseni Ntuli. In fact, KZN has basically gone home empty-handed, even though it’s the ANC’s biggest province.
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula, who was also on the Ramaphosa ticket, is the new secretary-general, while Nomvula Mokonyane is the first deputy secretary-general.
Gwen Ramakgopa takes over from Mashatile as treasurer in what has undoubtedly been a very good day for Ramaphosa and his #Renew22 campaign.
