Major shake-up awaits ANC Western Cape, says Mbalula

ORGANISATIONAL discipline and strategic capacity are among the pressing issues the ANC hopes its National Subcommittees will reinforce as part of reconfiguring the party in the Western Cape.

"The Western Cape demands a reconfiguration of its structures, which will be executed in strict adherence to the ANC Constitution. National Subcommittees will descend to the province to reinforce with political education, organisational discipline, and strategic capacity. The National Working Committee was mandated to process this decision of reconfiguring the Western Cape Province,” said ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula. 

He said while the Western Cape needed urgent attention, the Provincial Task Teams (PTTs) in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng recorded significant progress in rebuilding structures and restoring organisational coherence. 

“The NEC noted that ANC membership stands at 1 479 257, with 809 361 in good standing, reflecting a 19.5% increase since June 2025. This is a clear testament to the people’s enduring faith in their movement. All branches must ensure compliance with functionality criteria and the completion of the Foundation Course by November 2025.” 

Mbalula said the NEC directed that Branch General Meetings be quality-assured and attendance verified. 

“Regional Conferences remain on track, and this year we expect 45 out of our 52 regions to hold conferences by December 2025 which is a cut-off date as we focus on the Local Government Elections. It is mandatory that all comrades attending Regional Conferences must have attended and completed the Foundation Course. No conference will proceed without thorough verification and the mandatory three day cooling-off period must be observed,” he said. 

In a major development, Mbalula also announced the banning of the struggle chant “Kill the Boer”, saying no member of the ANC would be allowed to use the chant despite the Constitutional Court protecting its use.  

Mbalula said the party had done enough to defend its legacy and should not continue engaging in distractions aimed at distorting its historical role.

“No member of the ANC today will be allowed to sing Kill the Boer. Simple as that. Even if the Constitutional Court said you can sing, why should we sing Kill the Boer in a democratic dispensation?” Mbalula said.

Cape Times