SOUTH AFRICA: ANC CONGRESS CHOSE MBEKI AS DEPUTY PRESIDENT

(17 Dec 1997) English/Nat

The African National Congress (A-N-C) has chosen a new party President to succeed Nelson Mandela, whose ex-wife failed in her bid for the party's No. 2 job.

Thabo Mbeki was confirmed as the only candidate for President and the governing party's standard-bearer in the next election.

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela announced on Wednesday that she would not run for a leadership post in the governing A-N-C.

Her withdrawal means that national chairman Jacob Zuma will be elected, unopposed, as the Deputy President of the A-N-C.

The A-N-C election day started promisingly for candidate Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

The controversial ex-wife of South African President Nelson Mandela arrived at the conference centre in Mafikeng amid chanting and was embraced by supporters.

It appeared initially that she might have got enough support to push for the position as Deputy President of the A-N-C.

Surprisingly, Madikizela-Mandela was shut out of pre-conference nominations for that post.

Then she appeared not to raise sufficient support to mount a challenge from the floor to run against national chairman Jacob Zuma for the No. 2 position.

After a supporter nominated her to challenge Zuma, only a few dozen others raised their hands to second the nomination, far short of the 25 percent - or 766 - required.

Madikizela-Mandela then asked Thabo Mbeki for leave to consult with her supporters.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Comrades I had wanted to consult with the structures so that I do not appear to be divisive to my organisation. That is want I had wanted to ask comrade Thabo."
SUPER CAPTION: Winnie Madikizela-Mandela

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I would not agree that any one of them should ask for an adjournment in order to consult with structures."
SUPER CAPTION: Thabo Mbeki, ANC President

When that was refused under election procedures, she announced she was rejecting the nomination from the floor.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Comrade Thabo, I think I do understand what is happening. Those comrades who nominated my name, I apologist for having to decline."
SUPER CAPTION: Winnie Madikizela-Mandela

She then returned to her seat amid cheers from the audience.

Both Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki looked on impassively.

As expected, Mbeki was confirmed as the only candidate for Party President and automatically assumed the post

Zuma was then confirmed as the only candidate for Deputy, and therefore the winner, and Madikizela-Mandela hugged him amid a spontaneous celebration.

In the other leadership races, trade union official Kgalema Motlanthe became Secretary General and Mendi Msimang, the High Commissioner to Britain, became Treasurer General - they were the only candidates.

For the A-N-C's new President, this all heralds the beginning of a new struggle - to complete what was started.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The message from the movement as a whole to the leadership of the ANC is a very clear
one. And that message is that the revolution has not been completed."
SUPER CAPTION: Thabo Mbeki, ANC President

But Winnie Madikizela-Mandela will have no part in it.

Where her political future lies now is uncertain, but to some within the party, her past credentials still deserve respect.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"As a soldier in our army she follows like we all follow. She will always be with us. That is one thing you must be sure about. "
SUPER CAPTION: Peter Mokaba, Member of South African Parliament

A victory over Zuma would have made Madikizela-Mandela the party's second-ranking official behind Mbeki.


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