The group says they believe the election of Gijimani to the region’s number one job will ‘re-energise’ the ANC.
A lobby group that wants JS Moroka local municipality mayor Gijimani Skosana has begun lobbying.
This week regional spokesman Sello Motshega said branch audits have been completed and they were now waiting for the results to begin the succession race debate.
Regions across the country are preparing for regional congresses in preparation for the national conference in December 2017.
The lobby group that wants Skosana to emerge as the chairman of the ANC in the Nkangala region is opposed to current chairman Speedy Mashilo’s bid for a third term as leader of Mpumalanga’s richest region.
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Skosana, who led the YCL as its secretary in the region, has the backing of the South African Communist Party and other disgruntled ANC members but the Mashilo group, wanting to ‘maintain the status quo’, is likely to emerge and retain the chairmanship.
Mashilo, who is also the MEC of human settlement in the Mpumalanga province, is believed to have the blessing of provincial chairman David Mabuza to retain his post as regional chairman.
One of the campaigners for Skosana to take over from Mashilo, Michael Mahlangu, a branch secretary in JS Moroka sub-region’s ward 14 and ANCYL PEC member, said a young person like Skosana would re-energise the ANC.
“We want somebody who can radicalise the ANC,” he said.
“Someone younger and militant, “he said, adding “over 70% of the branches” in the sub-region wants Skosana.
In eMakhazeni sub-region, there is also another group aligned to the one that wants Skosana to replace Mashilo but eMakhazeni sub-regional convener Andries Mabena said the branches have not yet pronounced on the succession debate “as there were still processes to be followed”, before referring queries to regional spokesman Sello Matshoga, who told 013NEWS that “branches still have to wait for audit results” before pronouncing on their preferred leaders.
SEE ALSO: Nkangala region completes branch audits
The SACP in the region is expected to meet on Tuesday to discuss the regional succession race, regional spokesman January Kabini confirmed.
The four regions of Mpumalanga – Bohlabelo, Ehlanzeni, Gert Sibande and Nkangala – are expected to elect leadership in the first week of April 2017 and all are positioned to elect leaders who will be favourable to Mabuza’s ambition for national office.
(edited by ZK)
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