Diplomacy was the order of the day during President Cyril Ramaphosa’s engagement with ANC branches at the Church on the Hill on Monday. Firstly, it was the former acting chairperson and now convener of the ANC provincial task team (PTT), Mandla Ndlovu, who, without saying too much, threw his weight behind Ramaphosa’s bid for a second term in office.

“President Cyril Ramaphosa is a leader of leaders. We know the ANC is safe in your hands, Mr President. Comrade President, you are also safe in Mpumalanga. President CR, if there are calls from branches calling for your second term, do not say no to those calls, just raise your hand,” said Ndlovu to much applause from those supporting Ramaphosa.

“Some people are fighting you, but not here in Mpumalanga. You are safe here,” Ndlovu said. His short statement gave Ramaphosa the confidence and support he needed just ahead of the ANC national conference scheduled for this December or sooner, when the party is to elect new leadership. Before the national conference, Mpumalanga will finally get to host its own conference, which has been postponed a number of times due to many reasons, such as branch meetings not sitting and violence in official meetings.

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The outbreak of Covid-19 also made it difficult for the party to meet, as such were prohibited under the Covid-19 Disaster Management Act. When it was Ramaphosa’s turn to answer media questions, he was also diplomatic. “Comrade Mandla said something, but I’m hard of hearing these days. I did not quite hear what he said, but that’s not the issue,” he said.

With regards to the provincial conference, he said, “There was a display of unity and purpose in the meeting, and there was broad agreement that the conference should be held as soon as possible.”

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Ramaphosa gave Mpumalanga the thumbs-up it needed to host its conference. The provincial conference has been confirmed for next weekend from Friday March 18 to Sunday March 20.