ZUMA SURVIVES HIS FIRST NEC MEETING UNDER RAMAPHOSA

Jacob Zuma will remain South Africa's President after Wednesday's deliberation of the national executive committee did not include his future.

According to News24, at least two NEC members mentioned that, ahead of the party's birthday celebrations on Saturday, Zuma's fate was not discussed during the short special NEC meeting.

Their sources said, "the issue was not raised with members who, instead, focused on the contents of the January 8 statement to be delivered by Ramaphosa on behalf of the NEC at the party's celebrations to take place at the Buffalo City Stadium."

It is widely speculated that the newly elected NEC would push to recall Zuma – the intention to avoid the two centres of power; that of Zuma in the Union Buildings looking after the country, and his new party president and deputy of the country, Cyril Ramaphosa. This would start the party off with a "clean slate" ahead of the 2019 elections.

Apparently, the January 8 statement celebrating the party's 106th birthday focuses on fighting corruption while Zuma's announcement – on the eve of Tuesday's meeting – that he would establish a commission of inquiry into allegations of state capture by his friends the Guptas, was a surprise.

It's believed that this move is a preemptive strike to influence any discussion that may happen to finally get rid of him.