As the African National Congress (ANC) is a few days away from the party’s much-awaited elective conference to be held in Mangaung, emotions are high among both members and non- members of the party regarding what the conference would produce. The race to Mangaung has had different phases and it has evolved quite unpredictably. Speculations have been made only to be revised and discarded regarding who would emerge triumphant after the conference. The earlier focus has been on individuals who are most likely to win the conference and what would their win means to those who would stand in the opposing side. The developments so far have shown that President Jacob Zuma just might get re-elected for a second term. For me it does not matter who get elected because one way or another someone has to get re-elected. So far, it seems clear that either Kgalema Motlanthe or Zuma would be elected to the second position. What matters most is whether the winning candidate would emerge with a stronger mandate and how the winner would relate to whoever gets elected to the position of the deputy. I believe that it is becoming very interesting as to who would emerge as the deputy president. This is of interest in the sense that the position of the deputy largely remains open. Further, I believe that the front runner for the top position would be very concerned as to who is going to serve as his deputy. A weaker deputy could work for the front runner as no one would want to be overwhelmed and have his or her presidency being overshadowed by a stronger deputy. On the other hand, a weaker deputy could mean problems for the ANC in the sense that the party would be in a much weaker position to fend off the growing attack from the opposition as the 2014 general elections are looming. If President Zuma is re-elected to the top position, which seems to be indication thus far, his ability to steer the party through the storm of the opposition would depend much of the type of deputy he gets.
those who would want to elect Zuma would do so under the guise of ensuring continuity
If the decision is to have President Zuma re-elected, party members would have to elect the deputy with the sole purpose to protect the party from incurring criticisms that it has been subjected to, particularly, due to Zuma. While those who would want to elect Zuma would do so under the guise of ensuring continuity, one aspect that they would not like to see continuity in relation to has to do with the criticisms that Zuma might have personally drawn to the party. The main question that needs to be asked is who would be the better deputy to assist in shielding the party from Zuma-bound criticisms. It is very clear that the opposition parties see Zuma as a niche for their relevance and presence in the public discourse. How can the ANC deflect attention from Zuma and draw attention to someone who could be in a position to respond to the opposition attack? This decision cannot be left to Zuma himself because he is part of the problem that needs to be resolved. His presence in government has thus far exposed his weaknesses. It is for this reason that members of the party would have to take it upon themselves and give Zuma something he might not like, namely, a stronger and potent deputy. That would be the deal he might have to live with. This type of deputy could come either in the form of the businessman, Cyril Ramaphosa or Kgalema Motlanthe. These two individuals are respectively much stronger and more capable to be used to protest and restore the integrity of the party. It would be interesting to have the two positions of deputies within the party, one in government and the other in the party. But the ANC has not reached that level of maturity. Ralph Mathekga is an independent Political Analyst.
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