In a video that has gone viral, Mkhize says he accepts the nod from branches, including his own in KwaZulu-Natal's Moses Mabhida region, to stand against Cyril Ramaphosa and other hopefuls such as Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to become the next ANC president.  

"I am humbled by the confidence branches have shown in me and confirm that I am available to serve the movement that I have dedicated my life to since the day I was recruited to its political and military underground structures back in 1978," he says.  

The former health minister has described the December conference as a watershed moment, adding that the party's existence as a tool for improving the lives of South Africans is under threat.  

"We cannot afford another five years of deeply factionalised and directionless leadership. We must act decisively to save the African National Congress," he said.  

With Eskom announcing some welcome reprieve through the suspension of load-shedding from Saturday, following weeks of stage 3 and stage 4 rolling power cuts, Mkhize also lamented the devastating effect of load-shedding on the country's economy, worsening unemployment crisis, and poverty.  

"Poverty is the mother of numerous social ills such as drug abuse, violent crimes, and gender-based violence which have gone unabated in our country over the past few years. The poverty of leadership in dealing with these ills continues to condemn our people to a life of misery and indignity."  

Mkhize has been marred by allegations of corruption in the multi-million-rand Digital Vibes scandal, which ultimately led to his resignation during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. He, however, has not been formally charged, making him an eligible contestant in terms of the party's step-aside rule.  

This is Mkhize's second campaign for the ANC presidency, after launching his initial bid in 2017.  

Jacaranda FM