By: Xolani Khumalo
ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe has cautioned party members against engaging in premature discussions about President Cyril Ramaphosa’s successor, saying such debates should only take place closer to 2027, when Ramaphosa’s term as ANC president comes to an end.
This unfolds as senior ANC figures begin maneuvering for influential positions ahead of the end of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s term.
The party’s National Executive Committee is convening at the Birchwood Hotel on the East Rand to assess its performance during the current term.
Although there has been speculation that the meeting could serve as an opportunity to advocate for Ramaphosa’s ousting, ANC leaders have consistently cautioned members against igniting factional succession disputes.
Names such as Deputy President Paul Mashatile and ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula have already surfaced as possible contenders for the party’s top position, despite the ANC still being three years away from its next national elective conference.
Speaking on the sidelines of the National General Council in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, Mantashe stressed that early succession battles risk distracting the organisation from its current priorities. He also made it clear that he will not be available for leadership nominations at the 2027 conference.
People will put their names in the hat and want to be elected, but that is immature at this point in time – the time for that will come.
“I am not going to be available; I am old – I am more than 70 years old, so I am a retiree,” said Gwede.
Mantashe urged ANC members to focus on strengthening the movement and addressing the country’s immediate challenges rather than fueling leadership speculation.
