[imagesource: Siphiwe Sibeko / Reuters]

President Cyril Ramaphosa and current deputy president David Mabuza look very pally in that image above.

Those who know Mabuza’s past will be familiar with the fact that he “siphoned off money from schools and other public services in Mpumalanga to buy loyalty and amass enormous power” within the ANC.

He also has a habit of jetting off to Russia with alarming regularity, which he claims is for medical treatment related to an alleged poisoning back in 2015.

Mabuza originally seemed to be keen to leave his deputy president position when his term ends in December, but TimesLIVE reports he has changed his mind:

“From what I understand, No 1 [Ramaphosa] and No 2 [Mabuza] are returning as a package,” said a source close to Mabuza.

It is not clear if Mabuza will be challenged should he avail himself for election again. Mineral resources minister Gwede Mantashe is also being mentioned as interested in the deputy presidency of the party.

Please, not Gwede. That man is compromised.

It’s likely that Ramaphosa will stay on as party president come the ANC elective conference in December. The reason why it’s worth keeping such a close eye on that deputy president slot is because the incumbent could well go on to succeed Ramaphosa as ANC president.

Even though the ANC bombed in last year’s local government elections, whoever becomes ANC leader immediately becomes the firm favourite to be the country’s president.

Aside from Mabuza and Mantashe, a number of other names are being mentioned:

Front-runners for the deputy presidency include rising star and current justice minister Ronald Lamola. Treasurer-general Paul Mashatile has also raised his hand.

However, some surprise names being mentioned in ANC structures as the youth and women’s leagues push for a generational and gender mix include human settlements minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, another rising star in the party, and SA’s high commissioner to New Zealand, Vuyiswa Tulelo [below right].

Image: NZ Government

Veteran Thandi Modise could also be a strong contender if the ANC Women’s League succeeds in pushing for a female candidate for the No 2  position in the party.

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, who served as deputy president from 2005 to 2008, may also want another shot at the role after returning from a stint working for the UN.

Let’s just be thankful that Fikile Mbalula’s name isn’t being mentioned. Small mercies, and all that.

[source:timeslive]