Free State ANC nominates NDZ
The African National Congress (ANC) Provincial General Council in the Free State has nominated Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as its preferred candidate to succeed President Jacob Zuma as party leader in December.
The announcement comes only weeks before the governing party is set to elect new leadership at its national conference.
The province is the first to nominate Dlamini-Zuma, which means she will be on the ballot in December.
209 members favoured Dlamini-Zuma, while only 44 endorsed Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa as the next party leader.
The PGC also nominated leaders for other senior positions including Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza for deputy president.
Nathi Mthethwa has been nominated for National Chair, while the party's provincial chairman Ace Magashule secured the Secretary General nomination.
The PGC nominated current deputy Secretary General Jessie Duarte to remain in her post.
Provincial spokesperson Thabo Meeko says they believe Dlamini-Zuma is the right candidate to take the party forward.
"We need to maintain the position that the ANC has taken at Mangaung national conference, during its centenary, of radical economic transformation," says Meeko.
He described Dlamini-Zuma as a "trusted and loyal member" who has served the South African public without interruption.