Mabuyane, Ngcukayitobi to square off for top ANC position in EC

Eastern Cape African National Congress (ANC) leader Oscar Mabuyane will come head-to-head with a former ally, provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukayitobi, when more than 1,000 delegates take to the ballot this weekend.

Mabuyane is running for a third term as the party’s leader in what is one of the ANC’s last strongholds.

But the conference has not been without drama.

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The High Court granted an interdict halting it from proceedings over branch disputes, but the ANC has since appealed the ruling.

Mabuyane was elected ANC provincial secretary in 2009, before assuming the ANC provincial chairperson in 2017.

In 2017, Mabuyane won in a landslide at the same conference venue in East London that became famously known as the "Festival of Chairs" after brawling delegates assaulted each other with chairs.

Mabuyane was re-elected in 2022, with Ngcukayitobi elected provincial secretary.

The two will now contest the same position, but with Mabuyane considered the leading contender.

Ngcukayitobi’s slates includes Education MEC Fundile Gade for deputy provincial chair, with former Nelson Mandela Bay regional secretary Luyolo Nqakula contesting for provincial secretary.

Mabuyane’s team includes his current deputy, Finance MEC Mlungisi Mvoko, who is vying to retain his post, while deputy secretary Helen Sauls-August is hoping for a promotion to provincial secretary.