Johannesburg - ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa dished out a ‘presidential snub’ to the two biggest losers, Dr Zweli Mkhize and Stan Mathabatha, at the 55th National Elective Conference.
Mkhize contested the position of president, while Mathabatha was vying for the party’s national chair position, but Gwede Mantashe was triumphant.
The conference that took place at Nasrec, south of Johannesburg, was adjourned on Tuesday and is expected to continue on January 5, 2023.
Videos are making the rounds where the two men were spotted trying to reach out for a handshake with Ramaphosa and other members who were elected, but they were seen receiving a cold shoulder, which a number of social media users dubbed "blue ticked."
Mkhize was defeated by Ramaphosa with 579 votes.
In the first video, a number of members are seen shaking hands with Ramaphosa. Mkhize is seen on the stage walking towards him with his hand sticking out, ready to give Ramaphosa a handshake, but that did not happen.
Watch: Dr Zweli Mkhize is snub by President Cyril Ramaphosa after defeating him by 579 votes. As if the snub was not enough, watch ANC deputy President Paul Mashatile, making a hand gesture as if he was telling him to get lost. #ANC55Conference @TheStar_news pic: social media pic.twitter.com/fyS4XUko9q
— Ntombi Nkosi (@nntombi_nkosi) December 21, 2022
Ramaphosa continues smiling and shaking hands with other members. Newly elected deputy president Paul Mashatile is seen making a gesture with his right hand as if he is saying, "get out of here, chief."
Mkhize is quickly seen to be visibly embarrassed and walks away from Mashatile and Ramaphosa. The cameras continue to roll, showing him watching other members. In the meantime, the winners are seen being embraced by members who have congratulated them.
In another video, Mathabatha was seen making an effort to give Ramaphosa a handshake. He, too, was snubbed. He did not leave the stage immediately. He is seen sticking around, but he did not get a handshake from Ramaphosa.
Stan Mathabatha was blueticked🤣 pic.twitter.com/rZTTLrNoIr
The two videos left a number of South Africans mocking the two for being snubbed by the president.
Mkhize's slate had nominated Mathabatha for chairperson after it was reported that he had been dumped by the president.
One will remember that on January 8, 2022, during the ANC’s January 8 statement in Limpopo, Mathabatha was the first person to call for Ramaphosa to get a second term, and he was criticised.
Endorsing Ramaphosa for a second term led to Limpopo province being known as Ramaphosa’s supporters. However, this changed a few days ago when Mathabatha was seen on Mkhize’s side.
Meanwhile, Mathabatha, in an interview with one of the broadcasters, said he was misquoted on his plans for his political career.
He said he is committed to remaining in office until the end of his term of government in 2024, when the next elections will be held.
Some media houses reported that Mathabatha plans to retire from politics. He is currently serving his third term.
The Star