Unity slate proposed for ANC's eThekwini leadership race

A faction that wants Nkosenhle Madlala to be chairperson of the ANC in eThekwini wants a unity slate in order for the party to go united into this year's local government elections.

The eThekwini regional elective conference is scheduled to take place in the first week of April. The battle for the influential position of chairperson is expected to be between Madlala and the current eThekwini Municipality Speaker Thabani Nyawose. Both Madlala and Nyawose sit in the City’s Executive Committee.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a Madlala lobbyist said he has approached by Nyawose’s camp to start unity slate talks which will result in an uncontested conference.

The lobbyist said although his proposal is that Madlala must be the chairperson and Nyawose be deputy, they are willing to respect the will of the branches provided the two do not contest the positions.

“We want an uncontested conference outcome to ensure that the ANC approaches local government elections united. I have reached out to our comrades to consider our proposal. The ANC is on a political cliff, so unity is paramount,” he said.

However, Nyawose’s supporters poured cold water on Madlala’s unity slate talks and accused his team of grandstanding. 

“We all want unity and in fact, we approached Madlala who referred us to his supporters, however, none of them have called us to discuss the matter,” he said.

All the ANC's 111 branches in eThekwini have passed the audit to start holding their branch conferences to elect new leadership and delegates to the regional conference. The branches will soon nominate leaders they want to be elected.

willem,[email protected]