Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s presidential aspirations have been thrust into the spotlight following a public disagreement with ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula.
The spat centres around the potential dissolution of the party’s leadership structures in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, with Mashatile dismissing the idea and Mbalula confirming it as a possibility.
Mashatile’s statement, made in Pietermaritzburg, emphasised the need for national leadership to reflect on their actions rather than blaming individual provinces.
However, this stance directly contradicts Mbalula’s announcement, which outlined three options for the ANC’s national executive committee (NEC) to consider in January.
These options include dissolving the current provincial executive committees (PECs), strengthening them with additional leaders, or leaving them unchanged.
The public spat has raised questions about Mashatile’s presidential ambitions and his ability to navigate the complex web of ANC politics.
As deputy president, Mashatile holds a position that historically has not guaranteed succession to president Cyril Ramaphosa.
Mashatile’s supporters argue that he has the necessary experience and broad power base to succeed Ramaphosa.
However, his detractors point to his mediocre performance as treasurer-general and his vulnerability to scrutiny over his previous actions as a Gauteng provincial chair.
The dissolution of the Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal PECs has been proposed in response to the provinces’ poor performance in this year’s provincial elections.
The ANC’s support in Gauteng dropped from 50% in 2019 to 36% this year, while in KwaZulu-Natal, it plummeted from 54.2% to 17%. Nationally, the ANC declined from 57.5% to 40.2%.
Attempts to reach Mashatile or Mbalula were unsuccessful by the time of publication.
Previously, ‘The Star’ reported that the ANC succession battle was slowly gaining momentum, with alliances forming, and factions emerging as ambitious officials jostle to succeed President Cyril Ramaphosa.
This despite denials from ANC leadership, saying it was too early to entertain the succession battle, the power struggle is already under way as to who will succeed Ramaphosa when the party goes into its 56th elective conference in 2027.
Mashatile faces stiff competition from other contenders, including Senzo Mchunu, whose name is increasingly being floated as a potential candidate.
The battle for the presidency is likely to be fierce as it remains to be seen who Ramaphosa himself prefers as he would not be drawn out to comment.
Sources close to the party have hinted that he is in favour of Minister in the Presidency and close ally Khumbudzo Ntshaveni.
Mbalula, who seems to have secured alliances with provincial secretaries, is also eyeing the top spot.
Mashatile is seeking the backing of Gauteng provincial chairperson and Premier Panyaza Lesufi, who is also looking to ascend to the presidency.
Other potential candidates, while not explicitly mentioned, but are likely to throw their hats into the ring, are former health minister Zweli Mkhize and the party’s current chairperson Gwede Mantashe.
During the ANC’s celebration of the first 100 days of the Government National (GNU) in October, Mashatile and first deputy-secretary Nomvula Mokonyane denied factions were brewing, with Mashatile stating it was too early for succession talks.
But, a public spat between Mbalula and Lesufi suggests otherwise.
Mbalula had previously warned Lesufi against campaigning against him, sparking tensions within the party. “Often this thing of contestation defocuses us. We are focussed on important things right now leading the GNU,” Mashatile had initially said.
Speaking to ‘The Star’ on Sunday, political analyst and associate Professor attached to the North West University, Dr John Molepo, said the gloves were off for the party’s 2027 ANC conference.
“But this also has a dire effect in dividing the ANC particularly if these fights are going to be so regular… If they find themselves doing this regularly, it will cripple the organisation,” Molepo said.
The Star