It was a night of long knives as the saying goes as delegates nominated their preferred candidates for positions of the top 7 positions in the NEC.The nominations were disrupted by sporadic singing, dancing and shouting as delegates put their nominated candidates to the panel.More arguments ensued around how the election committee is managing nominations for the Deputy Secretary-General position .Delegates from Gauteng were accusing the elections committee of trying to rig the votes in a bid to block the election of Nomvula Mokonyane for the 1-st Deputy Secretary General positionThe horse trading went on until the early hours of this morning with veteran ANC leader Kgalema Motlanthebattling to keep rival rowdy crowds under control.The two main rival factions sang competing songs as nominations for top positions continued. Those who support former Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize signaled for change while President Cyril Ramaphosa delegates sang their songs of support for the incumbent.There were a few surprises and twists and turns in the nomination processes. For starters Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu was nominated for the position of Treasurer-General, but didn’t reach the 25% threshold.Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma was also nominated from the floor but she declined the nomination.A surprise nomination was that of Tina Joemat-Petersen from the Northern Cape delegates. The final nomination for the Top 7 list is below with only 5 women nominated for the top positions as opposed to 14 men:
President
1. Zweli Mkhize
2. Cyril Ramaphosa
Deputy President
1. Ronald Lamola
2. Oscar Mabuyane
3. Paul Mashatile
National Chairperson
1. Gwede Mantashe
2. David Masondo
3. Stanley Mathabatha
Secretary General
1. Mdumiseni Ntuli
2. Phumulo Masaulle
3. Fikile Mbalula
1st Deputy Secretary General
1. Nomvula Mokonyane
2. Tina Joemat – Peterson
2nd Deputy Secretary General
1. Maropene Ramokgopa
2. Ronalda Nalumango
Treasurer-General
1. Bejani Chauke
2. Pule Mabe
3. Mzwandile Masina
4. Gwen Ramokgopa.