Presidential hopeful Dlamini-Zuma has stronger support: ANC KZN chair

17 October 2017 - 10:54 By Nomahlubi Jordaan
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Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma
Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma
Image: Supplied

The assumption that presidential candidate Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma is losing support is “wrong”‚ says African National Congress KwaZulu-Natal chairperson Sihle Zikalala.

“There are many people who are supporting Nkosazana in Gauteng. I interact with branches all over‚ and I know Nkosazana has great support in Gauteng. All over the country‚ Nkosazana is stronger in the ANC‚” said Zikalala on Radio 702 on Tuesday.

He said he believes Dlamini-Zuma’s leadership will change the economy by ensuring that there is industrialisation and ensuring that minerals are not taken out of the country in a raw form.

Asked if the ANC under Dlamini-Zuma will win the 2019 election‚ Zikalala said: “I think we must own up that going to the 2016 elections we had challenges‚ and those challenges were both visible at national level and in some provinces. We cannot deny that it affected our support in 2016. With the 2019 elections‚ I think we will improve the performance of the ANC.”

Zikalala said the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal was prioritising unity and making sure that the party emerges from the national conference with a leadership that is embraced by all members.

“Depending on how we conduct ourselves going to the December conference‚ we will need to ensure that we prioritise unity… and ensure all of us focus on the election campaign going forward‚” he said.

He denied claims that Dlamini-Zuma was President Jacob Zuma’s candidate‚ and that the president wants her to win so he can stay out of jail: “To create an impression that to elect Nkosazana is about defending President Zuma is wrong and misleading.”

He would not be drawn into whether Zuma should step down as president‚ following the Supreme Court of Appeal ruling that the Pretoria High Court was correct in finding that the NPA’s decision to withdraw corruption charges against him was irrational.


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