Fresh Zuma presidential campaign

JOHANNESBURG – The ANC presidential race has entered a new chapter with KwaZulu-Natal launching a fresh, spirited plan to ensure Jacob Zuma’s victory in the party’s fiercely contested leadership.

This faction has embarked on a renewed campaign to ensure that Zuma becomes the party’s president at its 52nd national conference in Limpopo later this year. And speculation that Zuma might withdraw his candidacy in favour of a compromise candidate, possibly Tokyo Sexwale, was dismissed on Saturday.A statement released by Zuma’s office on Saturday said: “We wish to place on record, however, that there have never been any discussions between Mr Sexwale and Mr Zuma regarding the ANC conference and candidacy thereof.”There would be no basis for such a meeting or discussions.This matter will be dealt with correctly by the structures of the movement at the right time, following correct and well-known procedures.”In a move that showed his return to active politics, Sexwale tried about two weeks ago to assist the ANC in the Western Cape to oust the Democratic Alliance-led coalition ruling the Cape Town metro.However, the pro-Zuma lobby in KwaZulu-Natal is not settling for a compromise candidate.Dubbed Imvuselelo Sohlangan’ eLimpopo, its massive campaign will see Zuma supporters mobilising branches to rally behind him before the December conference.City Press newspaper has established that the Ethekwini regional leadership this week met its branch chairpersons and secretaries where the intensification of Zuma’s campaign was discussed.Ethekwini regional chairperson and safety and security MEC Bheki Cele and regional secretary John Mchunu called the meeting on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday.The fresh Zuma plan was mooted here.The regional leadership is hoping that the campaign will be adopted by other regions and will end up as a province-wide drive.At national level, the ANC has asked members to go back to the branches and revive and strengthen them.But as the party’s presidential race hots up, the Zuma faction in KwaZulu-Natal plans to go to the branches to strengthen his position before the conference The Ethekwini region is known to be the most influential in the province because it has the financial capacity to influence other regions.It printed Zuma T-Shirts and hired buses to support him during his court appearances last year.City PressAnd speculation that Zuma might withdraw his candidacy in favour of a compromise candidate, possibly Tokyo Sexwale, was dismissed on Saturday.A statement released by Zuma’s office on Saturday said: “We wish to place on record, however, that there have never been any discussions between Mr Sexwale and Mr Zuma regarding the ANC conference and candidacy thereof.”There would be no basis for such a meeting or discussions.This matter will be dealt with correctly by the structures of the movement at the right time, following correct and well-known procedures.”In a move that showed his return to active politics, Sexwale tried about two weeks ago to assist the ANC in the Western Cape to oust the Democratic Alliance-led coalition ruling the Cape Town metro.However, the pro-Zuma lobby in KwaZulu-Natal is not settling for a compromise candidate.Dubbed Imvuselelo Sohlangan’ eLimpopo, its massive campaign will see Zuma supporters mobilising branches to rally behind him before the December conference.City Press newspaper has established that the Ethekwini regional leadership this week met its branch chairpersons and secretaries where the intensification of Zuma’s campaign was discussed.Ethekwini regional chairperson and safety and security MEC Bheki Cele and regional secretary John Mchunu called the meeting on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday.The fresh Zuma plan was mooted here.The regional leadership is hoping that the campaign will be adopted by other regions and will end up as a province-wide drive.At national level, the ANC has asked members to go back to the branches and revive and strengthen them.But as the party’s presidential race hots up, the Zuma faction in KwaZulu-Natal plans to go to the branches to strengthen his position before the conference The Ethekwini region is known to be the most influential in the province because it has the financial capacity to influence other regions.It printed Zuma T-Shirts and hired buses to support him during his court appearances last year.City Press