Mbalula defends ANC decision to rope in veteran members to assist in rebuilding Gauteng structures

JOHANNESBURG - The African National Congress (ANC) has defended its decision to rope in veteran party members to assist in rebuilding its structures in Gauteng.

Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula announced leadership changes to its Gauteng structure on Wednesday, following a disappointing performance during 2024’s elections.

Senior member and former Johannesburg mayor, Amos Masondo, will co-lead the ANC in Gauteng alongside Panyaza Lesufi.

Meanwhile, the ANC's former provincial secretary, Hope Papo, has returned as the coordinator of its newly unveiled provincial task team.

Mbalula said the party’s electoral decline had highlighted the need for experienced leaders in its Gauteng structure.

"The national executive committee has taken a strategic decision to reconfigure the provincial structures and reinforce leadership in a way that builds on experience while embracing new energy."

Mbalula said that Masondo and Papo, who are both senior party members, would bring a wealth of knowledge to its Gauteng leadership.

"Our leadership has endorsed comrade Panyaza to work with a veteran of the ANC, comrade Masondo, who will be focusing on organisational issues. We know that they will complement each other."

Mbalula has expressed confidence in the ANC’s newly appointed provincial task team.