ANC's 2027 president election eclipsed talks of restructuring KZN, GP - Mbalula

JOHANNESBURG – The African National Congress (ANC) says the 2027 presidential succession battle "polarised" the discussions over the reconfiguration of its Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal leadership structures.

In 2027, the ANC is set for a national elective conference where it will elect someone to succeed Cyril Ramaphosa.

At a media briefing on Monday, the ANC’s Secretary General - Fikile Mbalula - said 2027 was a factor when the party's national executive committee members met to decide the fate of its two provincial structures over the weekend.

Since 1994, all ANC presidents have gone on to become the country's State president.

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While Ramaphosa is serving his second and final term, discussions of who should succeed him have already started within ANC circles.

Mbalula says it is possible that some members were thinking of 2027 during the discussions of disbanding or reconfiguring the Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal leadership structures.

"I have told you that the issue of 2027 polarised these discussions and we have reflected on that, it is not a lie, it is true. People were meeting, mobilising in Cape Town, dinner parties and everywhere else because these ones were saying if you support this position, you must know that you are in the camp of so and so. Which is leaders like myself and Paul Mashatile. 

“I have never declared any interest in the presidency of the ANC, I am still SG (Secretary General) and people are already saying I must jump. I am not power drunk to think I can use this position to advance my interests."

Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal are home to the ANC's biggest branches and have the highest number of registered members.