Written by Quintin Coetzee
As the African National Congress (ANC) wraps up its 54th National Conference in Johannesburg, it has announced the new members of its National Executive Committee (NEC).
The NEC is the chief executive body of the ANC, South Africa’s ruling party. It has the power to lead the organization, subject to the provisions of its Constitution. It is elected every five years, at the party’s National Conference. The NEC, in turn, elects a National Working Committee, which is responsible for day-to-day decision-making.
The NEC is composed of The President, Deputy President, National Chairperson, the Secretary General, Deputy Secretary General and the Treasurer General, who are separately by the National Conference, and commonly referred to as the “Top 6”, as well as 80 additional members.
The Top 6 positions are now filled by the following newly-elected members:
President: Cyril Ramaphosa
Deputy President: David Mabuza
National Chairperson: Gwede Mantashe
Secretary General: Ace Magashule
Deputy Secretary General: Jessie Duarte
Treasurer General: Paul Mashatile
Cyril Ramaphosa, the new leader of the ANC, does not have a majority of allies in the NEC. If this translates to a lack of support from a majority of the NEC voting members, it may limit the scope of control he has over the party, and his ability to drive policy changes. While Ramaphosa has replaced Jacob Zuma as the party’s President, Zuma is still the President of the country, with his term ending at the time of the next South African general election sometime in 2019.
The two main party leaders that Ramaphosa will be leading the ANC against in said election will be Mmusi Maimane of the Democratic Alliance, and Julius Malema of the Economic Freedom Fighters. Both parties are looking to increase the gains they saw during the 2014 general election, and potentially form a coalition government that will unseat the ANC for the first time since they began leading the country in 1994.
Pravin Gordhan, the previous South African Minister of Finance, replaced by President Zuma during a cabinet reshuffle in March 2017, has been elected as a member of the new NEC.
Among the elected NEC members are Ramaphosa’s opponent in the ANC leadership election, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma (receiving the 9th most votes), Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba, and former central bank Governor Tito Mboweni. Former ANC Treasurer-General Zweli Mkhize won the most votes of the 80 additional members of the NEC, followed by Lindiwe Zulu, the Minister of Small Business Development.
Staunch backers of Ramaphosa in the NEC include Pravin Gordhan, Derek Hanekom, Angie and Mathole Motshekga, Jackson Mthembu and Mondli Gungubele.
Among the backers of President Jacob Zuma in the NEC are omvula Mokonyane, Collen Maine, Bathabile Dlamini, Pule Mabe and Tony Yengeni.
ANC leaders who did not retain positions in the NEC include SACP leader Blade Nzimande, and Ministers Thulas Nxesi, Gugile Nkwinti, and Senzeni Zokwana.
The new members of the NEC, in no particular order, are as follows:
- Zweli Mkhize
- Lindiwe Zulu
- Regina Makgaule
- David Masondo
- Malusi Gigaba
- Ronald Lamola
- Violet Siwela
- Zizi Kodwa
- Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma
- 1Obed Bapela
- Tito Mboweni
- Lindiwe Sisulu
- Bheki Cele
- Fikile Mbalula
- Thoko Didiza
- Sdumo Dlamini
- Bathabile Dlamini
- Senzo Mchunu
- Pravin Gordhan
- Naledi Pandor
- Ivan Botes
- Zingiswa Losi
- Jackson Mthembu
- Phumulo Masualle
- Pule Mabe
- Sfiso Buthelezi
- Mduduzi Manana
- Aaron Motsoaledi
- Thandi Modise
- Edna Molewa
- Collen Maine
- Nathi Mthethwa
- Tima Joemat Pieterson
- Nkenke Kekana
- Maite Nkoana-Mashabane
- Angie Motshekga
- Bongani Bongo
- Enoch Godongwana
- Nomvula Mokonyane
- Baleka Mbete
- Derrick Hanekom
- Mondli Gungubele
- Jeff Radebe
- David Mahlobo
- Ruth Bhengu
- Msebenzi Zwane
- Pinky Kekana
- Nocawe Mafu
- Joe Maswanganyi
- Tony Yengeni
- Joel Netshitenzhe
- Dakota Lekgoete
- Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula
- Noxolo Kiviet
- Ngoako Ramathlodi
- Mathole Motshekga
- Sbongile Bhesane
- Thandi Mahambehlala
- Susan Shabangu
- Pinky Moloi
- Beauty Dluelane
- Pamela Tshwete
- Toko Xasa
- Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba
- Dikeledi Magadzi
- Thabang Makwetla
- Siyabonga Cwele
- Barbrah Creecy
- Mildred Oliphant
- Khensani Khubayi
- Nomaindia Mfeketho
- Hlengiwe Mkhize
- Pemmy Majodina
- Faith Mothambi
- Rejoice Mabudavhasi
- Cindy Tshikunga
- Gwen Ramokgopa
- Sylvia Lucas
- Pammy Majodina
- Candith Mashego
Many South Africans, as well as those overseas, are skeptical as to the direction that the newly-elected party members will take the country in the coming months, with the hope that South Africa will see less corruption and greater economic growth in its near future. There is also something to be said of the ever-present need for all parties in Parliament to come together and make decisions which will benefit citizens as a whole, as opposed to wasting precious discussion time on the often racism-fueled volleys that the country’s residents have come to know.
To learn more about the ANC’s National Executive Committee, click here.
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Sources: [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6]. Image Sources: [1], [2].
