By Zuko Komisa
The announcement by former president Jacob Zuma that he intends to run for national chair of the African National Congress (ANC) is the biggest joke of the year, according to energy minister Gwede Mantashe.
“Look. President Zuma was my President for 10 years. I was his secretary for 10 years. I take that as the biggest joke of the year. If JZ (Jacob Zuma) at 81 (years old) wants to contest chairperson of the ANC, I take it as a joke,” Mantashe said.
[WATCH] Mantashe says former President Jacob Zuma contesting to be the chair of the #ANC is the “biggest joke of the year”. pic.twitter.com/Md1yoLNJJv
— Queenin Masuabi (@Queenin_M) September 27, 2022
In a statement, Zuma said that ANC members had spoken with the former leader and told him they thought he had more to give the ANC.
He was pushed to run for national chairperson at the ANC’s national conference in December by unidentified visitors.
Media Statement By President Jacob Zuma On The Preparations Towards The 55th National Conference. pic.twitter.com/TC8AZo36CM
— Dudu Zuma-Sambudla (@DZumaSambudla) September 26, 2022
Mantashe, the ANC’s current national chairperson, is aiming for a second term.
Early in September, the ANC in the Eastern Cape gave Mantashe their support for reelection.
KwaZulu-Natal, where Zuma is from, has not endorsed him since the provincial executive committee, they have supported Stan Mathabatha, the premier of Limpopo, for the post.
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