RANJENI MUNUSAMY: Zuma's last supper
'It is evident that Ramaphosa is leading the pack. If the vote at next month's conference reflects a dramatically different outcome, it would mean that delegates defied their branches or that some chicanery occurred'
It seemed like a nice gesture by President Jacob Zuma to have a cosy dinner with the seven people engaged in a heated race to succeed him as ANC leader. He even wore a Madiba-inspired shirt to create the illusion of the "elder" bringing the rivals together to ensure a clean contest and a united ANC no matter who wins. Pictures were distributed of what appeared to be a festive dinner at the presidential residence in Pretoria, with Cyril Ramaphosa, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Zweli Mkhize, Lindiwe Sisulu, Jeff Radebe, Baleka Mbete and Mathews Phosa all looking in good spirits.
Zuma's manoeuvre is quite transparent. He was playing the only cards available to him to prevent a winner-takes-all scenario that could lead to him being "Mugabe'd" in the not-too-distant future. Now that over 90% of ANC branches have submitted their nominations, it is evident that Ramaphosa is leading the pack. If the vote at next month's conference reflects a dramatically different outcome, it would mean tha...
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