Johannesburg – The ANC hopes its members avoid friction among themselves in the lead up to its 54th national conference, says party treasurer general Zweli Mkhize.
He made the comments to journalists on the sidelines at the Gordon Institute of Business Science after participating in a discussion with students on ethics and governance.
"It's the members who must find a formula that would [unite] the ANC," he said of the succession battle.
A fierce battle, waged along factional lines, is expected to ensue as the party's national conference in December approaches. This as some in the ANC vie to get their preferred candidates and slates elected to take over as leaders of the party when President Jacob Zuma and his top five step down.
"It will always be our wish that there should be no friction when we get to the conference, so we will do our best to avoid that kind of situation," Mkhize told journalists.
Nothing wrong with 'differences of opinion'