ANC in KZN: Succession debate must unite, not divide
The race for the ANC presidency will enter a new phase today, with the return of former African Union commission chair Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who officially ended her stint as chairperson of the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa this week.
She will be welcomed back home by members of the ANC Youth League, which has already thrown its weight behind Dlamini-Zuma to succeed Jacob Zuma as ANC leader.
Although divided, the ANC in Kwa-Zulu Natal could also be a Dlamini-Zuma trumpcard during the ANC's elective conference in December.
ANC chairperson in KZN, Sihle Zikalala says a debate around leadership succession should unite and not divide the party.
ALSO READ: Dlamini-Zuma kicks off presidential campaign
"It is important to start by congratulating comrade Nkosasana Dlamini-Zuma on her outstanding contribution during the period when she was the leader of the continent, but also going into the national conference we believe that we should not divide the ANC around leaders," he says.
Zikalala adds that both Cyril Ramaphosa and Nkosasana Dlamini-Zuma are respected leaders of the ANC and that the matter should be discussed in such a manner that it unites the party.
"We must debate what are the strategic tasks as the ANC going forward," he says.
Zikalala says the province wants an unconstested conference in December, and is working tirelessly to ensure that this is the case.