BATTLE FOR TOP SPOT
Tradition or travesty in ANC succession
Gwede Mantashe has called for reform proposals but it is clear there is a dearth of ideas, writes Natasha Marrian
The ANC and its allies are in a knot over it being tradition, principle or practice for the party’s deputy president to succeed the sitting president. But principle and tradition have been expendable in the party for a while now. Cosatu, which was first off the mark in endorsing Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, accused the ANC on Friday of "playing cute" with the principles that have served the movement and "stood the test of time". The federation argues that unifying the party requires predictability; it needs a succession plan, and it was with this in mind that Ramaphosa was selected as deputy to begin with. Cosatu remains Ramaphosa’s strongest base as succession season engulfs the ANC and the country. An endorsement from the South African Communist Party (SACP) is also likely, although it has not yet pronounced on its position. The Young Communist League led the way this week with its endorsement of Ramaphosa. It released a statement on Friday, chastising senior ANC leaders who ...
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