(Johannesburg) The South African president, who enjoys the official support of the ruling party despite a scandal, remains a big favorite at the ANC congress which is due to designate its next leader and likely future leader this weekend. State.
Cyril Ramaphosa, 70, has a good chance of winning the sesame for a second term: he is largely in the lead with delegates from the African National Congress (ANC), which has appointed presidents since the advent of democracy 28 years ago. year.
In a long speech on Friday at the opening of the conference, the Head of State referred to the challenges to be met as the successes of his first term, and posed his action in continuity, sending a clear message. While conceding that we must have “the courage and honesty to recognize our shortcomings and correct them”.
Three decades after the end of apartheid, the country is experiencing high unemployment and maddening crime, growing poverty and inequality, and power cuts that are breaking records with the worsening energy crisis.
Some 4,500 ANC representatives from all nine provinces of South Africa, gathered at a conference center on the outskirts of Johannesburg, are due to cast the deciding vote ahead of the 2024 general election.
The only rival of Mr. Ramaphosa for the moment is his former Minister of Health, Zweli Mkhize, 66, placed far behind.
The conference scheduled for five days has already accumulated significant delays. But “the vote will take place today (Saturday), barring a setback,” party spokesman Amos Phago told AFP in the morning.
The delays are “extremely frustrating”, lamented a delegate from the eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN, southeast).
No alternative
Mr. Ramaphosa is attacking this deadline, crucial for his political future, after having escaped an impeachment procedure at the start of the week.
The head of state, also a wealthy businessman, is accused of having tried to conceal the theft in 2020 of wads of dollars, hidden under the cushions of a sofa, in his luxurious domain of Phala Phala (northeast ). An investigation is underway, the president, who has made the fight against corruption his hobbyhorse, is not charged at this stage.
The threat of a forced departure was thwarted by the majority ANC in Parliament, which called on its deputies to “toe the line” of the party. Losing ground at the polls for ten years, the ANC has no credible alternative, strengthening Cyril Ramaphosa’s chances of retaining power.
Despite the scandal, he remains very popular. And for the ANC, which fell below 50% for the first time in local elections last year, he represents the best asset for 2024.
Several dozen delegates, mainly supporters of former President Jacob Zuma (2009-2018), chanted slogans demanding change during his speech, banging on their tables. “Let us show discipline, political conscience,” urged Mr. Ramaphosa.
Cameras later captured Mr. Ramaphosa laughing and shaking hands with his predecessor and political foe, Mr. Zuma.
Ramaphosa “will come back” and remain president, predicts Mike Mtsweni, 28, delegate of the ANC.
Even the most virulent detractors of the president recognize it: “Ramaphosa will win, we know it”, says Thami Chamane, 30, delegate of KZN.
“But because of the Phala Phala scandal, he should step down,” he said, adding that he would, even if only symbolically, give his vote to the president’s competitor.
For Derek Hanekom, one of 80 delegates to the ANC’s all-powerful National Executive Committee, calling on Ramaphosa to step down over the controversy, when he is not charged, makes no sense. “We never did that at the ANC,” he told AFP.