Mbete endorses Ramaphosa as ANC president

Mbete, who is also the Speaker of the National Assembly, made the announcement late on Saturday night on the sidelines of the ANC’s national conference in Nasrec. 

She previously put her name forward as a possible successor to President Jacob Zuma, but she failed to secure any nominations. 

Mbete told the media that she has been in talks with Ramaphosa and that they are in agreement on various issues, including the issue of party unity ahead of the 2019 national elections. 

“The major part of what we’ve come to do look at how we mobilise South Africans, how we re-organise ourselves such that we can deliver better to them and in fact we ensure a victory in the 2019 elections. 

“And therefore we think we should not always think very much here and now, but we should think far.” 

Mbete’s endorsement of Ramaphosa comes as somewhat of a surprise, as he is running against Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, and Mbete had previously said the time had come for a woman to lead the ANC. 

“We (Mbete and Ramaphosa) have worked together for a long time and in how we have discussed the issues that are faced and the challenges that are faced by the movement and South Africa. We have agreed a whole lot more.” 

The outgoing ANC chairperson said while she had had extensive discussions with Ramaphosa, she has not managed to sit down with Dlamini-Zuma. 

“We haven’t had a discussion that is as detailed. In fact, there was never an opportunity really for that. 

“I am quite sure we will work together with comrade Nkosazana and each and every other candidate, but in the main we are talking about within the key leadership we want to work together. We have always worked together for a long time with comrade Cyril, as you know.”

The ANC was still struggling with issues around outstanding credentials, which would need to be finalised before delegates will be able to start voting for the news leadership.