The new Gauteng ANC leadership with Panyaza Lesufi as chairperson Photo: ANC Gauteng
Gauteng has a new African National Congress (ANC) chairperson after the party’s 14th elective conference in the province elected Panyaza Lesufi as the new ANC chairperson.
Lesufi beat Lebogang Maile by 32 votes. He secured 575 of the votes, while Maile managed to garner 543 votes.
The results from the conference held in Benoni, east of Johannesburg, were announced in the early hours of Monday morning.
This comes after the conference was marred by delays over credentials, resulting in nominations only taking place on Sunday.
The prolonged debate was caused by continued disputes about the participation of five branches from Ekurhuleni.
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Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, who previously served as deputy-secretary, now serves as deputy provincial chair.
Former provincial secretary Jacob Khawe only managed a measly 56 votes while music producer TK Nciza won by a slight margin to Sedibeng’s Thulane Kunene.
His deputy is Tasneem Motara, while Morakane Mosupye is the newly elected Provincial Treasurer.
Lesufi and Maile had previously contested the deputy chairperson position in 2018, which saw Lesufi emerging victorious.
The ANC said it will announce additional members later on Monday.
Meanwhile, ANC Treasurer-General, Paul Mashatile, has praised the 14th Gauteng Provincial Conference for peacefully electing a new provincial leader earlier this morning.
Mashatile said even though the conference was delayed due to the issues of credentials, the elective part of it showed signs of maturity among the voting delegates.
“It means we won’t have complaints after the conference, somebody saying no, you didn’t count me. So, I am quite happy that it’s peaceful, there is no acrimony, and comrades contested properly. It’s a democratic way the ANC does things, so we are happy,” Mashatile said.