Editorial: Election secrecy won’t foster unity

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has thrown his hat into the ring, publicly stating that he is ready to lead the ANC, should he be asked by its branches.

Responding to a question during a wide-ranging radio interview on Wednesday, Ramaphosa said, “It would be very humbling to get into a key position like that, to lead. I am available to stand.”

He is the first leader of the party officially to put his hand up as the ANC succession debate kicks into new gear. Exactly a year from now the party will elect a leadership in what will certainly be a defining moment in its history. The stakes are high. Its public confidence is arguably at an all-time low and its grip on power is slipping.

While Ramaphosa’s pronouncement came earlier than anticipated, it was no surprise. He and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma are the strongest front-runners to emerge so far in the ANC’s presidential race.

Although said somewhat reluctantly, Ramaphosa’s statement may be seen as a departure from ANC tradition, where the issue of succession was always the subject of behind-the-scenes talks and never to unfold in the public domain.

His critics are likely to hit out at Ramaphosa, accusing him of undermining party structures and processes. But perhaps that’s just it. While the ANC’s way of picking leaders may have been suitable in its past, the party needs to confront the reality that such a method has in recent years been open to abuse and manipulation. It no longer serves noble interests.

Shutting down the succession debate in an effort to foster unity in the ANC will not earn the party any favours with voters.

If anything, it will only rob millions of South Africans of any opportunity thoroughly to scrutinise the people likely to occupy public office, should the ANC retain power in government.