Key ANC leaders from KwaZulu-Natal are expected to feature prominently in the political discussions over who will likely succeed President Cyril Ramaphosa when the party will hold its National General Council (NGC) next year. Picture: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers
Key ANC leaders from KwaZulu-Natal are expected to feature prominently in the political discussions over who will likely succeed President Cyril Ramaphosa when the party will hold its National General Council (NGC) next year.
While the competition for the party’s highest position is expected to be between Deputy President Paul Mashatile and Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, ANC sources said Senzo Mchunu, Zweli Mkhize, Sihle Zikalala and Mdumiseni Ntuli are being seen as crucial in swinging support for whoever wants to become the next president.
The ANC will hold its next elective conference in 2027, but the NGC is expected to be the platform where the prospective leaders of the party will emerge.
Mbalula, sources say, has already started the campaign as a potential replacement to Ramaphosa, with his public support of the Government of National Unity (GNU) being an indicator that he will carry forward the coalition agenda beyond the 2026 local government elections.
Another figure that may reluctantly emerge is Gauteng Premier and ANC chairperson Panyaza Lesufi who has been critical of the GNU and was summoned to the ANC’s headquarters to explain himself after a spat with DA federal chairperson Helen Zille.
Mbalula, speaking about ill-discipline in the organisation during an interview on Sunday, said the party had reached a stage where some members feel they can do as they wish.
“The National Executive Committee was very clear that we must stamp the authority and if necessary discipline people and that is what we are doing.
“That is why we called the likes of Panyaza to account for their statements, we will not stop... including taking people to DC (disciplinary committee).”
A senior party member said the battle lines were being drawn for Ramaphosa’s successor and that likely candidates to succeed the president would emerge prior to the party’s midterm meeting, its NGC.
“This is going to be a difficult time for the party, as internal processes will be used to tarnish the reputation of candidates, especially if they are seen as possible contenders.
“There is a lot of talk that someone like Senzo Mchunu could emerge but he will stay out of the limelight until he is ready.”
Another source said Mbalula was being overly ambitious as the ANC did not have a culture of catapulting the secretary-general to become president instead of the deputy president.
He said there was corridor talk linking Zikalala or provincial secretary Ntuli, the current head of strategy, to the position of secretary-general should Mbalula become party president.
Former health minister Zweli Mkhize, who heads Parliament’s portfolio committee for the department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, is also believed to be in the mix for a leadership position ahead of the NGC.
“However, there is a feeling that anyone coming from KZN is going to have a battle.
“Leaders from other provinces always felt that KZN was the bully, they felt that KZN was acting like it was the AU and the rest was South Africa.
“They do not like the way we do things, and that is why they dealt with us in every conference.”
Political analyst Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast said the succession debate has started.
“I think the debate about the GNU is a proxy war and the real issue is who will be taking over from Ramaphosa.
“To take over from Ramaphosa, one has to have proximity to power and the person that comes to my mind, that really stands a chance and has been manoeuvring is Mbalula.”
Breakfast said Mbalula’s defence of the GNU is well calculated.
“I think he is framing a discourse that the GNU is a brainchild of the ANC and that it is a tactical manoeuvre so people will say he has been defending the position of the GNU and he should be allowed to continue.”
The Mercury