Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa is reportedly considering the new minister of defence Thandi Modise as his deputy, ahead of the African National Congress (ANC’s) national elective conference next year.
According to Sunday Times, Modise was positioned for “a higher post in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration during his second term”.
The report quoted sources within the ruling party as saying that Modise’s name was high on the list of female leaders that Ramaphosa’a faction was “considering lobbying ANC structures to support for the post of deputy president”.
Ramaphosa reshuffled his Cabinet earlier this month where he fired defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and replaced her with Modise.
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Mapisa-Nqakula has since been nominated as the ANC’s candidate for the next Speaker of the National Assembly, which was held be Modise.
According to The Citizen, the move by Ramaphosa’s faction to nominate a female leader came as pressure grew on the ANC to elect its first female president.
The report said this was not the first time Ramaphosa had considered a female deputy.
“Ahead of the ANC’s 2017 Nasrec conference, International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor was approached for the top post, but she declined the nomination,” the report said.
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The development came as reports last week indicated that the ANC was debating whether Vice President David Mabuza was medically fit to hold office following his return from Russia.
Some members of the national working committee (NWC) questioned if he should continue in his post.
Mabuza returned from Russia a week ago after a prolonged absence.
The deputy president left the country in June for medical treatment – for an unspecified ailment – after he took a leave of absence, IOL reported.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
