ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula has recently addressed rumors about his potential presidential ambitions, stating that it is premature to discuss succession plans as he is currently focused on completing his term in office. Speaking at the Friedrich Naumann Foundation’s freedom dialogue event, Mbalula emphasized that Deputy President Paul Mashatile is the next in line for consideration within the party.
Despite calls for him to stand against Mashatile as the next ANC president, Mbalula highlighted that he still has two and a half years left in his term as secretary general. He expressed his commitment to rebuilding the ANC and ensuring that the party does not lose further support in the upcoming local government and general elections in 2026 and 2029, respectively.
Following the ANC’s drop in voter share to 40% in the 2024 general elections, concerns have been raised about the party’s performance in the forthcoming local elections. In an effort to strengthen its structures, the ANC disbanded its largest provinces, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, replacing them with provincial task teams tasked with tackling corruption and improving service delivery.
The decision to disband the provinces has faced criticism, with some provincial leaders accusing Mbalula of using the party’s election results to further his own presidential ambitions. However, Mbalula has consistently denied any interest in running for president, emphasizing the need to prioritize rebuilding the party over personal aspirations.
In response to endorsements of Mashatile as the next ANC president, Mbalula cautioned against premature leadership debates that could hinder the party’s recovery from recent election setbacks. He urged party members to focus on the organization’s objectives and unity, rather than engaging in divisive discussions about future leadership.
As the ANC prepares for its next national conference, Mbalula stressed the importance of avoiding the divisive battles that have characterized past conferences such as Polokwane and Nasrec. He criticized comments made by party veteran Tokyo Sexwale, stating that they were unhelpful in promoting unity and only served to widen divisions within the party.
In conclusion, Mbalula reaffirmed his commitment to rebuilding the ANC and ensuring a smooth transition of leadership when the time comes. He urged party members to prioritize the organization’s goals and work together to overcome challenges and strengthen the ANC for the future.
