Things are about to get heated as all roads lead to the ANC Elective Conference in Nasrec and just like the soccer MTN 8 soccer competition tag line , it is "Wafa Wafa". The current ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa will be going head to head with embattled former Health Minister Zweli Mkhize for the position of president.

SCANDALS HANGING OVER THEIR HANDS

Recently Ramaphosa survived the 89 Section Panel Report  where Members of Parliament were forced to vote whether the report, compiled by the retired Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, which find that the seating president had a case to answer to over the controversial Phala Phala report. Mkhize stepped aside after the Digital Vibes scandal, where it emerged that he allegedly unduly benefitted in the  pandemic funds,  in accordance to the ANC adopted constitution that every member of the party implicated in serious crimes must do so. Just like a cat with nine lives, Mkhize is back contesting for a top position after KwaZulu Natal and Free State provinces endorsed him to go head to head with Ramaphosa over the presidency position of the ruling party.

WHO WILL THE DELEGATES GO WITH

As much as it seems as if Ramaphosa has the upper hand as most provinces including Limpopo, Eastern Cape, which has the second largest card carrying members in provinces, endorsed him  to take up the second term, it is still unclear if the delegates will go to bed with him as his home province has a deal with KZN.Mkhize is one of the top ANC members who have been vocal in saying that Ramaphosa must step aside after a stash of money was found in his farm, Phala Phala.

EXPECT ANYTHING 

Ramaphosa on the other hand has the biggest influence in the NEC as many of them wanted the 89 Section Report over Phala Phala to be squashed away. "I have always maintained that anythjng is possible when it comes to a race to become a president of the ANC. Both Ramaphosa and Mkhize are tainted as they are both fingered in scandals. Phala Phala is not going away anytime soon , the same goes for the Digital Vibes Scandal. There is a possibility that someone may be nominated from the floor and that someone may be Paul Mashatile , who is the Deputy President hopeful. Mashatile has no scandal and he is boasting support from KZN, which has most delegates going to this conference. Mashatile has managed to win the hearts of KZN which favours him for the position of the Deputy President over Oscar Mabuyane and Ronald Lamola. Don't write Deputy President David Mabuza who may also be nominated on the floor, as he is known for playing his cards close to his chest. He has been on this path in 2017 and he can surprise many people,"  said the Professor of Politics at the University of Western Cape.

REVENGE IS SWEET?

The Nasrec Conference will see Radical Economic Transformation which is duped as pro Jacob Zuma wanting to avenge their defeat of 2017, when they had endorsed Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, who is on the verge of being kicked out of the party after she defied the party when she voted with opposition parties to adopt the Section 89 Report on Tuesday.The conference kicks off tomottow in Nasrec in Johannesburg.