Mashatile closets leadership ambitions as ANC succession battle gains momentum

Deputy President Paul Mashatile is keeping his leadership ambitions close to his chest as the African National Congress (ANC)’s succession battle starts to gain momentum.

Speaking to Parliament’s Press Gallery Association on Thursday, Mashatile ruled out President Cyril Ramaphosa not completing his five-year term as president.

He said next week’s national general council (NGC) of the ANC, where it will take stock of its elective conference resolutions, is not the platform to discuss the party’s future leaders.

Two weeks ago, Ramaphosa called out those allegedly seeking to oust him at a national executive committee (NEC) meeting, saying they should set him a departure date.

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Mashatile dismissed suggestions that he’s waiting in the wings to step up even before the next elective conference, which is still two years away.

“The president is going nowhere; he’s staying and will continue to lead. So, the president is staying. We are working very well together.”

Asked whether he thinks he’s a fit and proper person to succeed Ramaphosa, Mashatile said it was premature to discuss his merits.

Since taking over from the late David Mabuza as deputy president, Mashatile’s property portfolio has been questioned, and he’s been reprimanded by Parliament for not declaring a diamond gift from corruption-accused diamond dealer Louis Liebenberg.

“In the ANC, it is members who decide who should lead. That’s how we work. So, for now, the ANC has said that question is put aside.”

Mashatile said the party’s focus is the local government elections, whereafter ANC branches will begin leadership deliberations.