Key Takeaways
- Electricity and energy minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa is preparing to challenge for a top leadership slot in the ANC.
- Ramokgopa is exploring a joint bid for either party president or deputy president, potentially alongside National Assembly speaker Thoko Didiza.
- The move is timed ahead of the party’s 2027 elective conference when President Cyril Ramaphosa concludes his second term as head of the party.
- Provincial heavyweight and Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane is also preparing for a top post bid, allied with deputy president Paul Mashatile.
- The ANC national executive committee has agreed to ensure unity, stability, peace, and progress in the country, following the election results.
Introduction to the ANC Leadership Battle
The African National Congress (ANC) is gearing up for a potentially intense leadership battle, with several high-profile figures preparing to challenge for top positions. According to people familiar with the matter, electricity and energy minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa is exploring a joint bid for either party president or deputy president, potentially alongside National Assembly speaker Thoko Didiza. This move is timed ahead of the party’s 2027 elective conference, which will mark the end of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s second term as head of the party. Ramokgopa, who also sits on the ANC’s national executive committee (NEC), brings significant executive experience to the table, having served as mayor of Tshwane and head of the presidency’s investment and infrastructure office.
The Ramokgopa-Didiza Ticket
The potential joint bid by Ramokgopa and Didiza is seen as a significant development in the ANC leadership battle. Didiza, who has a strong track record as a public servant, was previously earmarked by the ANC as its mayoral candidate for Tshwane in 2016. Although her mayoral bid did not materialize, she is widely regarded as a strong candidate who could bring a fresh perspective to the party’s leadership. As a female candidate, she is seen as someone who could help to revitalize the party and attract new supporters. The pairing of Ramokgopa and Didiza is also seen as a strategic move, as it could help to build a broad coalition of support within the party.
The Mabuyane-Mashatile Challenge
However, Ramokgopa and Didiza are not the only ones preparing to challenge for top positions in the ANC. Provincial heavyweight and Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane is also preparing to make a bid for a top post, allied with deputy president Paul Mashatile. Mabuyane has played coy when quizzed about his presidential ambitions, but it is clear that he is a significant contender in the leadership battle. The Mabuyane-Mashatile ticket is seen as a strong challenge to the Ramokgopa-Didiza pairing, and it is likely that the two camps will engage in intense coalition-building and lobbying in the run-up to the 2027 elective conference.
The National General Council
The ANC’s national general council (NGC) has provided a significant platform for the party’s leaders to engage in coalition-building and lobbying. The NGC, which is a midterm review between national elective conferences, has brought together 1,800 delegates from branches around the country. During the meeting, President Ramaphosa delivered a rousing opening address, in which he defended the composition of the government of national unity (GNU), which includes the Democratic Alliance (DA). Ramaphosa emphasized the importance of unity, stability, peace, and progress in the country, and called on the party to work together to achieve these goals.
Ramaphosa’s Future
As the ANC prepares for the 2027 elective conference, there is significant speculation about the future of President Ramaphosa. While Ramaphosa is in his second term as party president, he can only serve two terms as head of state, and his second term comes to an end in 2029. There has been no indication that Ramaphosa plans to step down as party president, and it is likely that he will continue to play a significant role in the party’s leadership. However, the emergence of new contenders such as Ramokgopa and Mabuyane suggests that the party is preparing for a transition, and that the 2027 elective conference will be a significant turning point in the ANC’s history.
Conclusion
The ANC leadership battle is heating up, with several high-profile figures preparing to challenge for top positions. The potential joint bid by Ramokgopa and Didiza is a significant development, and it is likely that the two camps will engage in intense coalition-building and lobbying in the run-up to the 2027 elective conference. As the party prepares for this significant turning point, it is clear that the ANC is at a crossroads, and that the future of the party will depend on the ability of its leaders to work together to achieve unity, stability, peace, and progress in the country. The outcome of the 2027 elective conference will have significant implications for the ANC and for South Africa as a whole, and it is likely that the party will emerge from this process with a renewed sense of purpose and direction.