Mbalula urges ANC members to focus on elections, dismisses early Motsepe campaign

Mbalula urges ANC to focus on elections, not early Motsepe push

As the ANC prepares for this year’s local government elections, party secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has stepped into the fray to caution members against early manoeuvres promoting billionaire Patrice Motsepe as a future party president. He described what he called a “Patrice Motsepe campaign” as mischievous and premature, insisting the party’s attention should remain on the polls.

Local elections take priority

Mbalula stressed that ANC members have a clear task in the months ahead: winning local government elections in 2026. “There’s a lifetime to debate candidates,” he told SABC News, noting that discussions about the 2027 elective conference will unfold in due course after the elections.

According to Mbalula, there is a structured process within the ANC for presidential succession, and attempts to preempt it risk sowing division. He emphasised that the party’s focus should remain on governance and service delivery, not speculation about future leadership.

WATCH | ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has urged party members to focus on the upcoming local government elections, adding that an early Motsepe campaign is mischievous. pic.twitter.com/r4GPLmysU5

SABC News (@SABCNews) January 20, 2026

Motsepe speculation

Reports emerged earlier this month that Motsepe, Africa’s richest man and owner of Mamelodi Sundowns, could be persuaded to step into the ANC presidency as a way to restore public confidence in the party. Some speculated that former President Thabo Mbeki might even play a role in orchestrating a leadership reset.

Initially, some factions reportedly favoured ANC national chair Gwede Mantashe for the top position, but he declined, citing age restrictions, leaving room for speculation about alternatives.

Mbalula was clear that Motsepe’s potential ambitions are a private matter. “I do not have to engage him,” he said. “If he is a member of the ANC, he will know that matters of that nature will come at the proper time. Nothing would stand in the way if he chooses to stand in the future.”

Motsepe stays silent

Motsepe’s spokesperson reiterated that the business mogul has no intention of running for ANC president and will not engage further on the matter. The billionaire has consistently declined to participate in political leadership speculation.

The succession question

Should Motsepe ever decide to enter the race, the contest would likely pit him against current Deputy President Paul Mashatile, who, in line with ANC tradition, is considered Ramaphosa’s expected successor. Mbalula, however, reiterated that such debates belong to a later stage and that members should avoid distractions before the local elections.

In a party already navigating intense internal lobbying and public scrutiny, Mbalula’s message is clear: the ANC’s immediate priority is winning back the municipalities and restoring trust with voters, not indulging in early presidential speculation.

{Source: The Citizen}

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