Dr Zweli Mkhize throws hat into ANC leadership ring

Seasoned ANC leader Dr Zweli Mkhize is making a bold assertion about his political future, announcing his readiness to contend for the ANC national leadership, contingent upon receiving nominations from the party’s membership. In a recent interview with The Mercury’s sister publication, Isolezwe, Mkhize expressed unequivocally that he has no plans to retire from politics, indicating he would be available for leadership should the ANC delegates wish to see him in that role.

Political analysts and ANC members alike surmise that Mkhize could potentially secure a significant position within the party, given his enduring support among ANC supporters and regional powerbrokers. However, they caution that the road ahead will not be paved with ease, as reported by The Mercury.

The ANC is anticipated to convene an elective conference around 2027, and as of now, no clear frontrunner for the position of party president has emerged. Mkhize previously vied for this role in 2022, nearly securing it before withdrawing just prior to the elections. His extensive political portfolio includes serving as Minister of Health, ANC Treasurer-General, and Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, among others.

However, his career faced turbulence following his involvement in the Digital Vibes scandal, which ultimately led to his resignation as Minister of Health. Despite this cloud over his past, Mkhize currently chairs the Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs portfolio committee.

During the interview, he asserted, “I am not retiring. What the people want me to do, I will still do it,” in response to a question regarding his potential candidacy for the top ANC position.

Support for Mkhize remains particularly strong in the Midlands region of KwaZulu-Natal. An ANC member from this area commented, “It will be his choice on what position he decides to contest for. Many of the power brokers in the province were mentored by him and remain closely aligned with him. Regardless of which candidates emerge in the regional conferences, most will still be inclined to support Mkhize for any position he might choose to pursue.”

Political analyst Siyabonga Ntombela noted Mkhize's chances of winning the top position as slim, primarily due to the lingering corruption allegations tied to the Digital Vibes scandal. He remarked, “Now, a party claiming to be on the path of renewing itself cannot afford to have someone with a dark cloud hanging over his head. However, it's the ANC we are discussing; anything is possible. Some may use these allegations to undermine him as a suitable leader.”

Names such as Paul Mashatile, Senzo Mchunu, and Fikile Mbalula are already surfacing as potential contenders for the ANC presidency, but the real power lies with the party's grassroots branches and their delegates.

Professor Musa Xulu reflected on Mkhize’s prospects, stating, “Until the Digital Vibes scandal, Mkhize was politically cruising and could have been a suitable candidate for the ANC Presidency. If he enters the race now, his opponents will undoubtedly resurrect that episode, which could negatively influence party branches, especially those from outside KwaZulu-Natal.”

Xulu further elaborated on the challenges within ANC's electoral politics, suggesting that over the past three decades, the party has often relied on KwaZulu-Natal representatives to bolster its national leadership. Despite this, he cautioned that while Mkhize may be considered for a position, securing the presidency would be a formidable task.

“The ANC is at a critical juncture. They require a leader untainted by recent controversies to rejuvenate their party's image.”

IOL Politics