Former health minister Zweli Mkhize has clearly indicated that he will contest the ANC’s presidency, that is if the governing party’s branches nominate him for the position. Mkhize expressed willingness to accept the desires of some supporters for him to be the next head of state.
This comes as the ANC gears up for the national elective conference in December this year. Addressing a group of Amabutho and Izinduna (Zulu Regiments and traditional leaders) who attended his son’s traditional wedding, the former minister said he will do whatever he is requested to do by the branches of the ANC.
This was a response to a call by traditional leaders at Mkhize’s Willowton home in Pietermaritzburg that he should become the next president of the country. The endorsement happened unexpectedly during the umgcagco ceremony of Dedani Mkhize (Mkhize’s son) and his wife Sithokozile Mthembu.
Mkhize said he always dedicated his life to public service and does not mind continuing to do so at if the branches nominate him to do so.
“ANC branches will meet and decide, but I can assure that if they approach me, I will be willing to serve as I have always served. I have served even during the difficult times of the apartheid era, but I will continue serving and wherever they send us we will respect the decision,” said Mkhize.
He said some political leaders are working together with private companies and some Journalists to tarnish his name. “It has become very clear that that there are some political leaders working with big companies, hiring private investigators and investigative Journalists to dig up anything, even some stuff dating back to 2005 during my term as finance MEC in the province. We know that some of the questions being asked are backed by powerful politicians,” he said.
Source: Eyewitness News, IOL, Daily Maverick, image from Eyewitness News
