ANC's Mbalula hits out at party succession talk, Motsepe links
Despite the ANC calling on its members to not engage in talks about succession and its 2027 national conference, discussions have been rife.
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula at the 9th Chris Hani regional conference in Whittlesea, in the Eastern Cape on 13 June 2025. Picture: @MYANC/X
JOHANNESBURG - The African National Congress (ANC)'s Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has warned that leading the ANC is not as easy as running a football club.
This as he tackled claims of a perceived campaign by billionaire Patrice Motsepe to succeed Cyril Ramaphosa as party president.
Mbalula said it was not even known if Motsepe, one of the ANC's major donors, belonged to a branch in the party.
Mbalula spoke in the Eastern Cape on Friday night at the 9th Chris Hani regional conference, which elected its executive without any contestation.
Despite the ANC calling on its members to not engage in talks about succession and its 2027 national conference, discussions have been rife.
Mbalula once again reiterated calls from the national executive committee to put succession talks on ice.
"If we don't come back in 2026, it will clearly define what will happen in 2029. Why are comrades obsessed with who must lead in 2027 when we are in so much mud. Who doesn't see and appreciate the moment we are in as an organisation?"
Mbalula also questioned talk of the football administrator, Motsepe, who is currently president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
He said that if Motsepe was interested in the job, he must be present in the party's branches.
Speaking in English and isiXhosa, the ANC secretary-general said that the campaign was irritating.
"Every Sunday Motsepe is touted. Touted by who? At what time? We said wait, you waiting in discipline."