Mashatile and Mbalula's unity project bigger than the duo

Lobby of NEC members working hard to unite sides

- By Mawande AmaShabalala

While ANC deputy president Paul Mashatile and secretary-general Fikile Mbalula were meeting at the house of their common friend, businessman Reggie Kukama, to plot a presidential succession plan, which will see the two not contesting each other, concerned members of the ANC were also toiling to unite the two for the greater good of the party.

Sunday World can reveal that while Mashatile and Mbalula met alone, there are several ANC national executive committee (NEC) members who are working together under the theme "national unity", lobbying their comrades behind the scenes to unite the two top guns.

Sunday World reported recently that Mashatile and Mbalula, who were said to be girding their loins to face off to succeed party president Cyril Ramaphosa when the organisation holds its elective conference in December 2027, have, in principle, agreed to work together.Mbalula and Mashatile are alleged to have agreed to lobby their factions to elect them as deputy president and president of the party to avoid a fierce contest for the top job.

This has emboldened the behind-the-scenes deal makers, known to Sunday World, to ensure that the agreement comes to fruition.