Newly-elected chairman of the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal Senzo Mchunu says his election would not create “two centres of power” in the province.
|||Durban - Newly-elected chairman of the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal, Senzo Mchunu, says his election to the position would not create “two centres of power” in the province, despite his predecessor Zweli Mkhize staying on as premier.
“The ANC is the centre of power, not Senzo and not Zweli, so there can never be two centres of power. That is just a decorative term that people use when they run short of English words. The ANC remains the centre of power, with individuals performing different duties”.
Mchunu was speaking yesterday after the close of the provincial general council where he was elected to the top job.
He said he had worked with Mkhize at both provincial government and in leadership structures of the ANC for many years, and did not believe that there would be any tensions between them in their respective positions.
“We have worked together so much that it has been hard to see any difference.”
Mkhize was forced to vacate the post following his election as ANC treasurer-general at the party’s national conference in December last year.
The position of treasurer is a full-time post in the ANC, but the party is yet to decide on whether Mkhize finishes his term as premier.
Observers in the party believe he will not finish his term.
On Friday, President Jacob Zuma said the post of treasurer-general was “the busiest position because we cannot do anything without money”.
This was seen as an indication that Mkhize could be asked to step down as premier so as to focus more on his Luthuli House job.
As provincial chairman, Mchunu would be in a strong position to become premier.
Asked if he had any ambitions of becoming premier, Mchunu was non-committal, saying: “To be honest, I want to be Senzo Mchunu, I would like to remain Senzo Mchunu.”
He was elected provincial chairman of the ANC on Saturday. He beat rival Willies Mchunu in a close contest. He won by 385 votes to the transport MEC’s 375 votes.
Speaking yesterday, he said there had been no battle between him and Willies Mchunu. He said that the membership’s preferences on leadership did not translate to a battle.
“To me, comrade Willies the deputy chair of the ANC in KZN remains comrade Willies,” Mchunu said.
ANC leaders stressed the need for unity in the province, saying this was crucial as the 2014 national general elections approach.
Provincial secretary Sihle Zikalala yesterday said the party aimed to at least achieve 70 percent electoral support in KwaZulu-Natal next year.
“The election campaign of the ANC starts here and now,” he told delegates at the meeting,” Mchunu said.
“We are facing an election campaign as we step out of this hall. It required maximum discipline and maximum unity; we dare not fail.”
Describing himself as energetic and hardworking, he said throughout his term he would give space to other individuals to shine.
“Even if that means they outshine the chairperson, there is space for us to contribute equally.”
He said one of the immediate tasks of the provincial executive committee would be to help rebuild the ANC Youth League.
“The youth league brings vibrancy to the ANC and we are missing that vibrancy right now.”
bheki.mbanjwa@inl.co.za
Daily News