Nokwanda Dlangamandla | kzn@radioislam.co.za
23 November 2022 | 11:30 AM CAT
2 min read

Photo Credit: The Africa Report.com

At the ANC elective conference in December, President Cyril Ramaphosa and Zweli Mkhize will square off for the top position of party leader. Ramaphosa is well ahead after receiving 2,037 nominations from branches, while Mkhize only received 916.

The ANC made public the top six candidates for the role of deputy president, including Paul Mashatile, Ronald Lamola, and Oscar Mabuyane.

However, according to Kgalema Motlanthe, ANC’s head of the electoral committee, the process is still open for objections and appeals, which might lead to a different outcome.

He said this is the culmination of nominations received from branches, but delegates at the conference can also nominate from the floor.

Radio Islam International discussed with political analyst Dr Fikile Vilikazi, who has accused the governing party of compromising the gender parity rule stipulated in the ANC constitution.

Vilakazi said, “I think it is a compromise of rule number three of the ANC constitution, where it clearly states that the ANC can never be a sexist organisation, but they continue to remove women from the top six.”

She claimed that given the public discussions about gender equity, the female candidate’s omission from the top six announcements was shocking and disheartening.

“I think it was equally disappointing that former president Kgalema Montlathe even emphasised that applying the gender parity rule to the top six is impossible, and I completely disagree. I think it is possible.”

Vilakazi has pleaded with the ANC branches to exercise their power, object to the current top six, and ensure that women candidates who have raised their hands are included in the top six.

“Even if it is one woman in the top three of the top six.”

She claimed that it was doable and feasible.

Listen to the interview conducted by Ml Sulaimaan Ravat with political analyst Dr Fikile Vilikazi on Sabahul Muslim.