Key Takeaways:
- The ANC’s head of elections, Mdumiseni Ntuli, suggests that the party may need to look beyond its current national executive committee (NEC) for its next president.
- Ntuli states that no current NEC member would qualify or be acceptable to stand as ANC president in 2027 if the party performs badly in the coming local government elections.
- The ANC’s declining support in the polls has been taken for granted by some within the party, with the NEC’s performance in last year’s national election being a "huge indictment" of the structure.
- Ntuli criticizes the lack of work in attending to the state of the party, which is grappling with the quality of its membership.
- The ANC’s secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, and Ntuli have differing views on the party’s decision to expand the government of national unity (GNU) by including other parties.
Introduction to the ANC Succession Debate
The African National Congress (ANC) is facing a significant challenge in its succession debate, with the party’s head of elections, Mdumiseni Ntuli, suggesting that it may need to look beyond its current national executive committee (NEC) for its next president. In an interview with the Sunday Times, Ntuli stated that no current NEC member would qualify or be acceptable to stand as ANC president in 2027 if the party performs badly in the coming local government elections. This statement has stirred the party’s succession debate, with Ntuli emphasizing that the only measure of qualification would be how the party is led next year.
The ANC’s Declining Support
The ANC’s declining support in the polls has been a significant concern for the party, with some within the party taking it for granted. The NEC’s performance in last year’s national election, which led to the ANC losing its majority for the first time since 1994, was a "huge indictment" of the structure, according to Ntuli. He emphasized that the party had inherited an organization that was leading the country at 57%, but had brought it down to 40%. Ntuli warned that if the party goes to elections next year and is unable to maintain its current support, it would be a significant indictment of the NEC’s leadership.
NEC Members’ Qualification
Ntuli criticized the NEC members for considering leading the party post-2027, given their performance so far. He stated that NEC members should feel "very ashamed" to even consider leading the party, given the decline in support. Ntuli suggested that if the party were to consider leaders outside of the NEC, it would be a genuine conversation. However, he emphasized that among the current NEC members, it says a lot about who they are and how society should understand them. Ntuli’s comments have sparked a debate within the party, with some members defending the NEC’s performance and others calling for a change in leadership.
The State of the Party
Ntuli also criticized the lack of work in attending to the state of the party, which is grappling with the quality of its membership. He emphasized that if the party does not have a good quality of membership, it would impact the quality of leadership. Ntuli suggested that the party needs to rebuild or enhance its existing interventions, including the foundation course. He stated that the party’s negative communication about the work of ANC structures, from the NEC down to branches, shows that they are not making the necessary impact.
Differing Views on the GNU
The ANC’s secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, and Ntuli have differing views on the party’s decision to expand the government of national unity (GNU) by including other parties. Mbalula stated that the ANC had no reason to fix what was not broken, referring to the NEC’s earlier decision to expand the GNU. However, Ntuli contradicted Mbalula, saying that the decision still stood, but the national working committee (NWC) had not finalized implementation details. Ntuli emphasized that the NEC had not reviewed its decision and that it remains in place until the NEC decides to rescind it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the ANC’s succession debate has been stirred by Ntuli’s suggestion that the party may need to look beyond its current NEC for its next president. The party’s declining support in the polls and the NEC’s performance in last year’s national election have been significant concerns. Ntuli’s criticism of the NEC members’ qualification and the lack of work in attending to the state of the party has sparked a debate within the party. The differing views on the GNU decision have also highlighted the challenges facing the party. As the ANC prepares for its national general council, it is clear that the party needs to address its internal challenges and find a way to regain the trust of its supporters.