Johannesburg - A few weeks ago, ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe, whose penchant for doublespeak is legendary, warned party members who wanted Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa to be president that they should not base their reasoning on the mere fact he was the deputy. He was right. For history shows, contrary to popular belief and “tradition”, that while ANC presidents all served as deputies first they are propelled to the helm of their party through a democratic contestation process.
But in true Matashe fashion, last week the ANC secretary-general contradicted himself, effectively endorsing Ramaphosa. Mantashe said in a speech in Plettenberg Bay that there should be an orderly management of the ANC’s succession with the deputy president ascending to the top post - contradicting what he had said last month during a memorial lecture on the party’s former president Oliver Tambo in Vosloorus on the East Rand last month.
“If a sitting deputy president cannot take over from the incumbent, the organisation is owed an explanation” said Mantashe, and took it one step further by saying that if some in the ANC want a woman president, Ramaphosa’s deputy should be a woman. She would then fit neatly into this succession plan. In tweets from his account Mantashe also suggested Zuma should be supporting Ramaphosa. “If Pres Zuma with experience refuses to handover to DP we will be in a crisis. Let us find a woman to be DP for succession to be managed” said the tweet.
Mantashe was essentially saying Ramaphosa deserves the position of ANC leader virtually by right. Truth, is the ANC presidency is not inherited and Mantashe knows it. Thabo Mbeki did not support Zuma to succeed him - he stood against him in Polokwane in 2007 where he suffered a humiliating defeat. While a few who know Mantashe well for his misspeak were caught by surprise, many were left wondering why he would suddenly abandon neutrality while in the official position of secretary-general.
Few will be fooled by his utterances which he claimed were an attempt at defusing the brutal ANC leadership battle that risks ruining the party. Mantashe’s stance is self-serving as he is rumoured to be deputy president candidate on Ramaphosa’s slate.
His reckless attempt to strong-arm Zuma into endorsing Ramaphosa adds to the woes of the troubled ruling party.
Instead of trying to force Zuma to back his second-in-command, Mantashe would be well advised to dedicate his time and energy towards ensuring that the democratic right of ANC members to elect their leader is respected in December. Let ANC branches speak.
*Steve Motale is the Editor of the Sunday Independent.