Durban - Newly-elected Premier Willies Mchunu has described his ascension to the top post in the KwaZulu-Natal government as not only a personal, but also a political journey.
Mchunu was sworn in as premier last week after his predecessor, Senzo Mchunu, had been pressured to resign.
The new premier had in 2013 lost the contest for ANC chairmanship by several votes, resulting in him subsequently losing an opportunity to be premier when Zweli Mkhize took the ANC treasurer-general position full-time.
Although he was ANC deputy chairman, a position he still holds now, he was never promoted to the position when Mkhize stepped down.
Speaking to thousands of volunteers at a mini-rally in Durban on Saturday, Mchunu was full of praise for the ANC after it provided him an opportunity to be the political head of KwaZulu-Natal.
“I can’t stop thinking that the only organisation that can make me the premier is the ANC. The ANC is you, and when I think of ANC, I think of you, the branches,” he said to applause.
Mchunu recalled that in 2014, a year after defeat to his predecessor, he had contemplated retiring from politics, but had been persuaded otherwise by his comrades.
“I was retiring, but they said, ‘You are not retiring’,” he said, adding that (ANC eThekwini regional chairwoman) Zandile Gumede had personally approached him not to retire.
In a veiled attack on Senzo Mchunu, the premier took a swipe at members who failed to accept the outcome of party processes. “Some things that are happening are confusing; It is unusual,” he said when speaking about people who had issues with nomination of councillors.
The party faces a revolt from members who are considering contesting as independents after they were allegedly overlooked during the nomination process. “Whoever votes for the independents, there is something wrong in their mind,” he said.
He added that “the people” knew the organisation that had freed them in 1994 and spoke of the development brought about by the ANC. He also took a swipe at the DA, which has been recruiting black people, and the EFF that he said was damaging the image of the country and Parliament.
Daily News