ANC Retains Ramaphosa as Party President

BREAKING NEWS | President: Cyril Ramaphosa wins with 2476 votes
Zweli Mkhize received 1897 votes#ANCNationalConference #ANC55 pic.twitter.com/Ozge6JtHXb

— SABC News (@SABCNews) December 19, 2022

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa emerged victorious over Zweli Mkhize to retain the ANC presidency.

Ramaphosa garnered 2476 votes which is 579 votes ahead of Mkhize who garnered 1897.

https://twitter.com/AthiGeleba/status/1604772282941210624?t=ynTBldndi7wL7B0TkuCchA&s=19

Congratulatory messages are already pouring in with Zimbabwe's opposition leader Nelson Chamisa also congratulating Fikile Mbalula who comes in as ANC party Secretary General.

CONGRATULATIONS to HE @CyrilRamaphosa and @PaulMashatile for being elected President and Vice President of the ANC respectively. I also congratulate my brother and Cde @MbalulaFikile for being elected Secretary General. Let us build a New Africa! Mayibuye iAfrica!! pic.twitter.com/8HvKSTqStw

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) December 19, 2022

Earlier in the morning, Mpumalanga Province has dumped him in favour of Mkhize who was increasingly becoming popular within the party.

Sources within the plenary close to the situation are saying the province joined Mkhize’s camp after deputy president David Mabuza declined to be nominated for the presidential race.

The province’s move is a major boost for Mkhize’s camp after a group of delegates from North West and Limpopo jumped ship to back Mkhize’s nomination.

“This was after Mpumalanga made a U-turn to join Zweli after Mabuza declined the presidential nomination,” said sources.

The sources said this was a clear indication that Mkhize would emerge victorious.

“What I can tell is that Zweli will close the conference. We are confident about that. The people are tired of Ramaphosa. We are still negotiating with other provinces and there is hope that they might join as well.”

Mkhize’s campaign could also be boosted by Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma’s support after she also declined to be nominated for the presidential position.

Ramaphosa’s slate said they were not happy with how his campaigners were handling his campaign, adding that they were sabotaging him.

The sources said, “CR is coordinated by amateurs with selfish and self-serving interests. This may lead to him losing the nomination this time around.”

However, Ramaphosa’s campaigners still believe that he has a fighting chance, and may walk away with the presidential title.

The voting for the top seven is currently taking place.