Ronald Ozzy Lamola

Race for secondMashatile is still leading the race for the deputy president against Justice Minister Ronald Lamola and Eastern Cape chairperson Oscar Mabuyane...

Current ANC Treasurer-General and Secretary-General Mashatile won 1 791 nominations in the race for the deputy presidency while Ramaphosa ally Ronald Lamola got 427 nominations and Oscar Mabuyane got 397...

Deputy President David 'DD' Mabuza has not yet said if he will run and his province Mpumalanga has opted for Justice Minister Ronald Lamola for the deputy presidency...

South Africa's Justice Minister Ronald Lamola who has the final say in the matter has also accepted the ruling they say...

But the Eastern Cape is backing its chairperson Oscar Mabuyane while Mpumalanga supports Justice Minister Ronald Lamola...

Several names are being pushed for the job including treasurer and acting secretary-general Paul Mashatile Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi Co-operative and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma deputy president David 'DD' Mabuza and Justice Minister Ronald Lamola (see Box Whose hats are in the ring...

Another contender is Justice Minister Ronald Lamola who seems to have the backing of some branches in his home province of Mpumalanga...

Ramaphosa can still rely on senior government figures such as Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola Deputy President David 'DD' Mabuza and Higher Education Minister and former SACP secretary-general Blade Nzimande...

Africa Confidential understands that he will be pitching for a place on the ANC's top six national officials along with the likes of ANC Treasurer-General Paul Mashatile Justice Minister Ronald Lamola Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi and Defence Minister Thandi Modise (AC Vol 63 No 3 Candidates and kingmakers break cover in succession drama)...

Defence Minister Thandi Modise Justice Minister Ronald Lamola Treasurer-General Paul Mashatile (also acting Secretary-General) and acting deputy Secretary-General Gwen Ramokgopa are also seen as potential contenders for top six posts and we understand are all aligned with Ramaphosa's reforms...

Foremost among them are ANC Treasurer General Paul Mashatile and the younger up-and coming Justice Minister Ronald Lamola who has hinted that he would consider standing for deputy if asked...