Mashatile says naming a Western Cape Premier candidate wasn't a priority for ANC

JOHANNESBURG - African National Congress (ANC) Deputy President Paul Mashatile says that appointing a Premier candidate for the Western Cape during the May elections last year was not a priority for the party.

Mashatile made these remarks on Sunday at the Andrew Losaba Methodist Church in Khayelitsha, highlighting that at the time, the ANC's focus on community mobilisation, rather than leadership appointments.

Mashatile revealed there was a prior agreement with the provincial leadership not to appoint a Premier candidate in the Western Cape.

He noted that the ANC's following in the province had been declining, with the party only securing 19% of the vote in the 2024 elections.

The party's deputy president, however, expressed optimism about progress in addressing internal divisions within the ANC.

"It was their view that, let’s focus on the election on the ground, and we will then decide later who will be Premier."

Looking ahead, Mashatile emphasised the ANC's commitment to remaining in the province longer, to tackle the issues affecting both the party and local communities.

Mashatile added that the decision to postpone the appointment of the party's Western Cape Premier candidate was made in consultation with provincial leaders.

It was the only province without an ANC Premier candidate in the May 2024 elections.