ANC grants Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri special leave as NEC members step in as acting spokespeople

The African National Congress (ANC) has granted its national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, special leave to attend to health matters, the party said. The announcement was made on Sunday.

Acting spokespersons appointed

To maintain the party’s communication functions, the ANC said it has deployed NEC members Nonceba Mhlauli and Zuko Godlimpi to serve jointly as acting national spokespersons with immediate effect.

“This deployment will ensure continuity in the communication work of the movement and the effective articulation of ANC policies, programmes and positions. Both Comrades bring considerable organisational experience and a deep understanding of the movement’s strategic objectives, and will jointly undertake the responsibilities of spokesperson during this period.”

Party reaction and call for cooperation

The ANC extended its best wishes to Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri and wishes her a speedy and full recovery. The party further asked its structures, members, supporters, media practitioners and stakeholders to afford the acting national spokespersons their full cooperation while they assume the responsibilities on behalf of the organisation.

“The movement looks forward to her return and calls upon all structures, members, supporters, media practitioners and stakeholders to afford the acting national spokespersons their full cooperation as they assume these responsibilities on behalf of the organisation.”

Context from recent party events

Separately, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula spoke at an ANC election volunteers assembly in Durban, saying the party would not need a coalition partnership to govern eThekwini in the November local government elections and that it was confident it could win the metro outright.

The same report noted that the ANC’s support base in KwaZulu-Natal had been affected by the emergence of Jacob Zuma’s MK party and referenced recent coalition dynamics in the province following the 2024 national elections.