Ace Magashule’s old friend edges closer to take over ANC Free State

As the battle lines are drawn ahead of the upcoming ANC Free State’s ninth elective congress in September, an old ally to the now suspended ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule, has entered the race to become chairperson for the party in the province.

‘If one dream should fall and break into a thousand pieces, never be afraid to pick one of those pieces again and begin again,’ this is a famous quote by American philosopher Flavia Weedn, an everyday quote that resembles with the ever-patient ex-Free State ANC deputy chairperson Thabo Manyoni.

Manyoni, who has been lobbying for the chairperson position for years, has proven to the provincial structures that his fight to step up on top is one of his pivotal role.

Although he has in the past failed to outbest his long-time rival Magashule, the resilient Manyoni has re-emerged to go head-to-head with the provincial chairperson and ANC Women’s League deputy head, Sisi Ntombela.

With the ANC Free State gearing up for the upcoming conference in three months, structures of the party are still divided due to factionalism.

The campaign of Thabo Manyoni, who’s a former mayor for the embattled Mangaung Metro, has set his sights to contest in bid to reunite structures of the ANC.

According to the under ground structures of the party in the province, they believe that Manyoni has all it takes to reunite and renew the party.

The disgruntled ANC members in the province have taken ANC leaders to the Bloemfontein Hight Court regarding the slow pace of conference preparations and the validity of already existing interim structures.

In their bid, an aggrieved group urged the court to intervene in the party’s “neglect” in taking the necessary steps for new leadership to be elected in branches, regions and the province.

However, the Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) admits that it needs at least a month to rebuild branches before any new leadership can be elected. 

From a horse’s mouth it is alleged that the delay is marred with challenges of reuniting the dissolved structures, as the IPC, is worried of who will take over the leadership role in September.
 

A confidential source revealed to Kasi Voice News that, Premier Sisi Ntombela has endorsed Manyoni to contest for the chairperson role.

“It is no lies that Ntombela has raised her hand to stand by Manyoni, she’s lobbying her support for Manyoni, as she prepares to take over the ANC Women’s League top position.

“MaNtombela believes that a united Free State, will guarantee her a position at the Women’s League, as this is her strongest structure to set her for the Women’s League,” said the source.

It is believed that Manyoni is currently the people’s favourite, and his match mate, Mxolosi Dukwana, who is the IPC convener is unlikely to match either Ntombela or Manyoni.