Lobbying for Motsepe's ANC leadership in full swing

The campaign to position billionaire businessman Patrice Motsepe as a potential future leader of the ANC is in full swing despite the party's national executive committee (NEC) instructing members not to campaign ahead of its 2027 elective conference.

- Mandisa Nyathi and Lunga Mzangwe

Touted: Four ANC sources, business executives and political party officials said Patrice Motsepe's name has moved beyond informal speculation into structured discussions. Photo: File

(File)

The Mail & Guardian this week visited the Johannesburg offices linked to the so-called PM27 Savumelana campaign, where organisers were coordinating activities associated with the initiative supporting Motsepe.

One of the chief campaigners for the initiative, Ishmael Mnisi, said it was currently focusing on strengthening the ANC ahead of the upcoming local government elections.

The campaign believes capable and stable municipalities are central to improving service delivery and rebuilding confidence in the governing party, Mnisi said.

The PM27 campaign's present activities were aimed at reinforcing the ANC's organisational strength at the grassroots level rather than formally campaigning for leadership positions, he added.

"Our work at the moment is focused on helping consolidate the ANC's support base and electoral performance across the country," Mnisi said, adding that the PM27 Savumelana campaign had already established national and provincial structures to coordinate its activities.

A 24-member national coordination structure had been formed, led by national convenor Thulani Ngesi and secretary Ayanda Ngangelizwe, alongside nine provincial coordination teams responsible for engagement and mobilisation in each province.

Mnisi said organisers were engaging ANC branches and internal party structures across the country as part of efforts to build broad support for the initiative. Provincial teams were working with regional and local ANC leaders to extend the campaign's reach in both urban and rural areas.