Key Takeaways:
- The ANC Johannesburg regional conference is set to take place on Wednesday, with regional leader Dada Morero and finance MMC Loyiso Masuku vying for the top position.
- The conference will see a battle for control of the party and the municipality, with Morero and Masuku leading the two biggest factions in the region.
- Money is expected to play a significant role in the conference, with allegations of bribes being exchanged to sway delegates’ votes.
- The conference will also see the election of new regional leaders, including a deputy chairperson, regional treasurer, and regional deputy secretary.
- The outcome of the conference could have significant implications for the party’s national leaders, who will be seeking support from regions when the party heads to its national conference in 2027.
Introduction to the ANC Johannesburg Regional Conference
The long-awaited ANC Johannesburg regional conference is finally set to take place on Wednesday, after months of postponement. The conference will be a battleground for two of the party’s most prominent leaders, regional leader and Joburg mayor Dada Morero, and finance MMC Loyiso Masuku, who are vying for the top position in the region. Morero, who has the backing of secretary-general Fikile Mbalula and allies of President Cyril Ramaphosa, is seeking re-election, while Masuku, who enjoys the support of the ANC women’s and youth league structures, hopes to topple him from the region’s top position.
The Battle for Control of the Party and the Municipality
The conference will see a battle for control of the party and the municipality, with Morero and Masuku leading the two biggest factions in the region. The two leaders have been battling for control of the party and the municipality, with Morero previously leading as regional secretary under former regional chairperson Geoff Makhubo, who died in 2021. Masuku, on the other hand, served as regional deputy secretary at the time. The outcome of the conference could have significant implications for the party’s national leaders, who will be seeking support from regions when the party heads to its national conference in 2027.
The Role of Money in the Conference
Money is expected to play a significant role in the conference, with allegations of bribes being exchanged to sway delegates’ votes. An insider told the Sunday Times that money had allegedly exchanged hands in what has now become an ANC tradition of possible bribes to delegates. Weekly diagrams and pie charts had put Masuku ahead in terms of branch nominations by a slight margin, with Morero tagging closely behind. However, the dynamic reportedly changed towards the tail end of the branch biennial general meeting nominations that have taken place across the region. Despite the nominations, insiders have claimed that the contest will hinge on the use of money to sway the voting process.
The Election of New Regional Leaders
The conference will also see the election of new regional leaders, including a deputy chairperson, regional treasurer, and regional deputy secretary. Outgoing regional secretary Sasabona Manganye, who has been plagued by scandal, will go up against Lebohang ‘Mshengu’ Tshabalala, who is said to enjoy huge support. For the deputy chairperson position, outgoing regional spokesperson Masilo Serekele will be going up against seasoned regional executive additional member Matshidiso Mfikoe, who is currently deployed to the Gauteng legislature as an MPL. Key regional leader Eunice Mgcina, who was part of the three names recommended for the position of Johannesburg mayor, will also be in the running.
The Importance of the Conference
The conference is crucial for the party, as it will determine the direction of the region and the municipality. A delegate told the publication that the conference needs to be clear on the young leaders it wants to platform. "If we are serious about building the ANC, we will back a Thuthu [Zuma] because she is politically clear, sober and has the political pedigree ― she is not living in the shadow of her parents but is politically grounded and assertive." The conference will start on Wednesday in Sandton and is expected to conclude by Friday. The outcome of the conference will be closely watched, as it will have significant implications for the party’s national leaders and the direction of the region.
The Need for a New Direction
The conference comes at a time when the party is facing significant challenges, including a decline in support and internal divisions. The Joburg ANC region has lost its way, and the conference provides an opportunity for the party to chart a new direction. As one delegate noted, "Our organisation needs to return to the ground and be rooted in its people. We can no longer afford to have an organisation that is loyal to members pushing select priorities; we need to be an organisation that puts forward the needs of our communities." The conference will be a crucial step in determining the future of the party and the region, and its outcome will be closely watched by party members and observers alike.