‘ANC’s deputy should get top spot’
ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe says party roles should inform succession
The ANC should ask itself difficult questions if it did not elect its deputy president to succeed the outgoing president, ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe said on Wednesday. "Now, I don’t want us to create traditions that do not exist, but when we elect a deputy president, you should be having succession in mind, that’s a more correct argument. "Once you have a deputy and you elect someone else, you ask yourself difficult questions: is this deputy not competent enough to be the successor? That belongs to the debate more than the tradition. "That debate must be allowed space. There is a deputy president, he is a competent individual; can he actually ascend to power and lead the organisation? If not, what are the issues?" Mantashe said at a round-table discussion with journalists. He was asked about the argument that tradition dictated the deputy president of the ANC should succeed the president as the party prepares for its national conference in December.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.