Mike Mabuyakhulu receives eThekwini region support ahead of ANC provincial conference
KwaZulu-Natal ANC provincial task team coordinator Mike Mabuyakhulu is expected to stand for nomination for the province's chairperson position when nominations start.
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As the ANC prepares for its crucial provincial elective conference in KwaZulu-Natal next month, Mike Mabuyakhulu has received the backing for the chairperson position from the influential eThekwini region.
Mabuyakhulu who is currently the provincial task team coordinator - a position equivalent to a provincial secretary - is rumoured to be eyeing the provincial chairmanship role when the conference sits.
In an interview on Thursday, eThekwini task team coordinator Simiso Mkhize heaped praise on Mabuyakhulu, describing him as a seasoned cadre of the party. Despite being heavily criticised by the party’s Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, Mabuyakhulu’s work in the province since he was appointed in February last year, was praised by Mkhize.
“The task team under Mabuyakhulu and Jeff Radebe did well. Mabuyakhulu is a seasoned leader of the ANC who has vast experience in both the party and in government. He was among the ANC leadership that took power from the IFP in 2004 and has managed several departments in the provincial government,” said Mkhize.
The province was due to have held its conference in November, however, it failed because branches and regions were not ready. This irked Mbalula, who blasted Radebe and Mabuyakhulu’s task team, describing them as a big disappointment. He also announced that the party's National Executive Committee would at its first meeting, scheduled for this month, implement changes to the task team.
EThekwini is expected to hold its elective conference by the first week of March and the provincial conference later the same month. Mabuyakhulu has not publicly declared his availability and Mbalula has cautioned members not to discuss succession before nominations start. Traditionally, a candidate or slate that is supported by the eThekwini region always wins, because of the size of the region. With 110 branches, the region wields political influence and in most cases, decides who leads the province.
Mabuyakhulu’s political career took a nose dive when he was arrested and charged for corruption in 2021, however, he earned respect for being the first party leader to voluntary step aside in line with the party policy that calls for any member facing criminal charges to take a leave of absence from party and government activities until he or she is cleared.
In 2013 while an MEC for Economic Development and Tourism, the department approved R28 million for the North Sea Jazz festival. Although the event was cancelled, the amount was disbursed to service providers and it was alleged that Mabuyakhulu was paid R300, 000 as a bribe. However, in 2023 he was acquitted, paving his way to return to active political life.