Ramaphosa will attend ANC KZN elective conference despite safety concerns in Zuma's stronghold

• The ANC elective conference has been dominated by delegates expressing their displeasure at how former president Jacob Zuma has been treated
• There were fears that President Cyril Ramaphosa would not be safe if he attended the conference in person
• However, the ANC has confirmed that despite safety concerns, Ramaphosa would attend the conference and present a speech

DURBAN - The ANC has confirmed that President Cyril Ramaphosa will attend the party's 9th provincial elective conference in KwaZulu-Natal.

The area is a well-known stronghold of the former president Jacob Zuma and there are rumblings that the Ramaphosa might not attend due to hostility against him.

Earlier, Briefly News reported that a source close to the president stated that Ramaphosa is not afraid of going to KZN and does not regard any part of South Africa as a no-go area, reports TimesLIVE. The source added that Ramaphosa needs to send the ANC's message of renewal and unity in KZN.

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Wenzeni uZuma: ANC KZN conference marred by Jacob Zuma's legacy, still strong support for former president

ANC secretary-general Paul Mashatile confirmed that Ramaphosa would attend and that ANC delegates were expected to greet the president with discipline according to the SowetanLIVE.

The conference got off to a rocky start with thousands of delegates singing “Wenzeni uZuma?” (what has Zuma done?). Despite pleas from Paul Mashatile and Sihle Zikalala the crowds refused to allow proceedings to start.

Social media users shared their opinions on Ramaphosa's attendance at the conference

@ZANewsFlash:

"Well, all the indications are there that Cyril Ramaphosa will be drowned with pro-Jacob Zuma songs (Wenzeni uZuma is one of them) at the weekend's elective conference of the ANC in KZN to be held in Durban. At worst, he will be repeatedly booed and heckled by some delegates."

@Sgadi28:

"Dear President Matamela @CyrilRamaphosa , on Sunday go to KZN to close the conference as you have been doing in other provinces. Let them boo and sing Wenzen’uZuma if they want to. When they are done, tell them the renewal will not be stopped by delinquents.

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Mashatile warns ANC that campaigning must start immediately, tells Mzansi ruling party is the only hope

The End."

@luyolom:

"#ANCKZN still needs to find itself beyond this conference. It’s too big and too influential a region to allow itself to become a party bantustan of some sort. It must move forward as region within the ANC. These silly talks of Pres Ramaphosa being unwelcome in the KZN conference"

All hope is lost without the ANC, Mashatile warns Mzansi and urges action

Earlier, Briefly News reported that ANC treasurer-general Paul Mashatile addressed crowds of ANC supporters at the party's KwaZulu-Natal provincial conference.

He stressed that the ANC could not waste any time and must immediately begin campaigning for 2024 and not leave anything to the last minute.

According to him, the previous general election was proof of this when many South Africans chose to rather not vote at all and stay home.

Source: Briefly News