MBALULA'S ALLIES WIN TSHWANE, SET SIGHTS ON ANC TOP JOB

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula.

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief of The Azanian

In a significant boost to his leadership ambitions, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula's allies have won key positions in the Tshwane Regional Conference, putting him in pole position to succeed President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The newly elected ANC Greater Tshwane Region Regional Executive Committee (REC) features a strong Mbalula-aligned team, with Bonzo Modise as Chairperson, Tlangi Mogale as Deputy Chairperson, George Matjila as Secretary, Sam Mashola as Deputy Secretary, and James Shelenge as Treasurer.

The win comes after Mbalula's allies suffered a setback in the Johannesburg Regional Conference, where Dada Morero was defeated by Loyiso Masuku, an ally of Gauteng Provincial Coordinator Panyaza Lesufi.

However, the Tshwane result has resuscitated Mbalula's campaign, and he is now seen as a frontrunner in the race to succeed Ramaphosa.

"Mbalula's allies have clearly demonstrated their strength in Tshwane, and this is a significant boost to his leadership ambitions," said a senior ANC source. "He is now well-positioned to make a strong bid for the top job."

The Tshwane result is also seen as a blow to Lesufi's ambitions, who had been expected to make a strong challenge for the top job.

Analysts say the result is a testament to Mbalula's ability to build alliances and negotiate complex political terrain.

"Fikile Mbalula has shown that he is a master strategist," said Dr. Mpho Mothapo, a political analyst at the University of Pretoria. "He has managed to build a strong team in Tshwane, and this will give him a significant advantage in the run-up to the ANC's National Conference next year."

The ANC's internal battles are expected to intensify in the coming months, with the party's National Conference scheduled to take place in December 2027.

The conference will see the election of the party's top leadership, including the president, deputy president, secretary-general, and national chairperson.

Mbalula, who has been touted as a potential successor to Ramaphosa, has been building his support base in the party, and the Tshwane result is seen as a significant victory for him.

Lesufi, who has also been mentioned as a potential candidate, is expected to regroup and reassess his strategy in the coming months.

The ANC has declined to comment on the Tshwane result, with spokesperson Nenekazi Mpolweni saying that the party is focused on its internal processes and will not be making any statements on the outcome of the regional conference.

NEWLY ELECTED ANC GREATER TSHWANE REGION REC:

- Chairperson: Bonzo Modise

- Deputy Chairperson: Tlangi Mogale

- Secretary: George Matjila

- Deputy Secretary: Sam Mashola

- Treasurer: James Shelenge