Sandile Zungu sings out for ‘sister’ Zandile Gumede ahead of ANC conference

A video clip of businessman Sandile Zungu leading a song at a gathering of supporters of former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede has fuelled speculation that the AmaZulu FC chairperson has taken sides in the KZN leadership contest, the ANC’s biggest region.

Zungu announced his entrance into politics when he indicated his intention to contest for the ANC KZN chairperson position, before later withdrawing from the race.

Zungu told Sunday Times Daily on Thursday morning that he has taken a neutral stance in the eThekwini contest, despite him singing about Gumede.

“I support the ANC in eThekwini irrespective of who emerges between the competing personalities. I enjoy very cordial relationships with comrades Zandile Gumede and Thabani Nyawose, and the individual comrades in their line-ups,” he said.

The AmaZulu football club owner appeared in a video leading Gumede’s supporters in song, indicating a faction ready for battle.

However, Zungu said he was not nailing his colours to anyone’s mast.

“My appearance and brief message yesterday at the meeting of delegates to the forthcoming elective conference of the eThekwini region emphasised the need for maximum unity within the ANC and that the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal should rebuild the trust among the communities so as to achieve a decisive victory come 2024 national and provincial elections,” he said.

Zungu added that he remains a loyal and disciplined member of the ANC, based in eThekwini Ward 81.

The eThekwini elective conference is set to begin on Friday.

Gumede is expected to be challenged by eThekwini council speaker Nyawose.

The conference is expected to set the tone for what will happen when KwaZulu-Natal elects new leaders and give an indication of how the province will approach the ANC national conference in December.

A Gumede win will embolden President Cyril Ramaphosa’s opponents, as the eThekwini region has influence that could sway the province. But a win by Nyawose will dampen their spirits as the council speaker is associated with the pro-Ramaphosa grouping.

But the conference will also be about the future of eThekwini and whether the ANC will be able to revive its election fortunes after it hung on to the metro through a rickety coalition.

Cracks therein were laid bare this week after the ANC’s coalition partner, the Abantu Batho Congress, voted against the former’s candidate for city manager, Max Mbili.

There are even whispers of an upcoming vote of no confidence in mayor Mxolisi Kaunda. Should this go ahead, it would make the ANC vulnerable as it seems to be losing friends in council.

Whoever wins on Saturday will have to hit the ground running, not only in attempting to unite a fractured but important region, but also to manage possible fallouts in the city post-conference. 

Whoever wins on Saturday will have to hit the ground running, not only in attempting to unite a fractured but important region, but also to manage possible fallouts in the city post-conference. 

But should Gumede win, she is likely to be asked to step aside from her position pending her corruption trial. Gumede’s slate includes council chief whip Thembo Ntuli as her deputy, Musa Nciki as secretary, Nkosenhle Madlala as deputy secretary and Zoe Shabalala as treasurer.

On the other hand, Nyawose has chosen Mthunzi Dlamini as his deputy, Bheki Ntuli as secretary, Thanduxolo Sabelo as Ntuli's deputy and Ntokozo Sibiya as treasurer.

If the winners do not try to manoeuvre established systems at city hall by purging losers or installing members of their faction in key positions, it is unlikely opposition parties will be able to tighten their squeeze on the ANC. 

Speculation in Durban is that Nyawose and his followers will support premier Sihle Zikalala to retain his position as provincial ANC chairperson and back Ramaphosa’s second term bid.

The Gumede slate is linked with the campaign to have finance MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube elected provincial chair, while supporting anyone else but Ramaphosa at the national conference.