Published: Less than 30 min ago
South Africa’s ruling party for 28 years, the ANC, will elect a new leader on Sunday.
According to assessors, what the result will be is still uncertain.
The choice is between President Cyril Ramaphosa and his former health minister Zweli Mkhize.
So far, Ramaphosa has been expected to take home the win, but observers say the election looks set to be tighter than expected, with 4,000 delegates set to vote on the party’s leader for the next five years.
– We see Ramaphosa go from having a comfortable lead to having Mkhize nipping at his heels. It’s floating right now, says an independent political analyst.
After nearly 30 years in power, the ANC (African National Congress) – which was formed by Nelson Mandela to end apartheid – is facing declining support. The image of the party has been tarnished by corruption, nepotism and weak economy.
Zweli Mkhize, 66, was praised during his time as health minister for his efforts during the corona pandemic. But he has been accused of corruption, which he himself denies. He was later sacked by Ramaphosa.
Even the image of 70-year-old Cyril Ramaphosa as flawless was shattered after a scandal that threatened to impeach him – something he avoided as recently as Tuesday when ANC MPs rallied behind him.