Mlibo backs Masualle campaign

Qoboshiyane calls on ANC members to support one of their own at national conference in Nasrec

Seasoned politician Mlibo Qoboshiyane says former premier and ANC secretary-general hopeful Phumulo Masualle has what it takes to make his mark at national level.

Masualle and his successor, premier and ANC provincial chair Oscar Mabuyane, who is a deputy president candidate, will carry the hopes of the province in the battle for the top six positions at the party’s national elective conference at Nasrec, in Johannesburg, next week.

Though he was snubbed by his home province, Masualle received a shot in the arm when the Kwazulunatal provincial executive committee (PEC) endorsed his bid in September for the position of secretary-general.

While Mabuyane is aligned to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s reelection bid, Masualle is contesting under former health minister and presidential nominee Dr Zweli Mkhize’s slate.

Qoboshiyane said Masualle, also deputy minister of public enterprises, was distinguished by maturity, a measured political temperament, the ability to unify, patience, attention to detail and administrative acumen.

“The nomination of comrade Masualle by many branches across the country is a demonstration of confidence [in] the long-serving PEC member of the movement in the Eastern Cape, an embodiment of values, cultures and traditions of the alliance as he has been a leader of all the allies,” he said.

Qoboshiyane urged the province to rally behind Masualle, saying this would be a demonstration of unity, service and selflessness.

“I will be satisfied if my home region, his province, may show a vote of confidence [in] one of theirs to ascend to the office and be part of the collective cadreship to advance the ANC renewal trajectory,” he said. “I further support other candidates that are nominated from the Eastern Cape to make a sterling contribution to the 80-member NEC [national executive committee].

“The time to glorify lazy, divisive, selfish leadership with crucial national duty should be reconsidered and the ANC should elect levelheaded, politically upright and principled leadership able to unite and cement divisions of the party.”

Qoboshiyane said both Masualle and Mabuyane were capable of performing any task at national level, and that the ANC’S branches would determine which, if any, positions they occupied.

“As far as I know, he [Mabuyane] has made himself available and my contention is that the EC must support comrades from our province to be part of the national collective. Such unity of mind may heal our province and fully optimise the utilisation of political talent,” he said.

Both Masualle and Mabuyane confirmed recently that there had been talks between the former premier and the provincial leadership.

“There had been talks, to be specific, the provincial secretary [Lulama Ngcukayitobi] who reported such conversations to the officials as later confirmed by comrade Oscar,” Masualle said.

“I have also had engagements with the chair [Mabuyane] on the sidelines of the NEC meeting that sat recently.

“The engagements were very constructive and explored how to forge greater unity for the ANC in general and the province specifically.”

Asked whether the province was considering supporting his bid or whether he would be keen to team up with the provincial leadership, Masualle said: “The EC PEC is best placed to answer your question and of course I am looking forward to working with all the members of the ANC, including the EC PEC.”

The Dispatch reported in October that Masualle said it was time for new leadership in the ANC.

Masualle said recently that he stood by his views that the ANC needed a major shake-up at the conference.

“I have made my views clear and in a principled manner in respect of the current leadership nationally,” he said. “Beyond conference I will submit to the verdict of the delegates as to who is elected.”

Masualle said he believed the Eastern Cape and Kwazulu-natal could work together.

“I see much room for collaboration between the two provinces and others,” he said.

Masualle said he believed the Eastern Cape would be represented in the ANC’S top six after the conference.

“I believe with proper focus and united efforts there shall be a presence of the province at that level.”