'ANC needs to reinvent itself'

ANEW: PHOSA SAYS BRANCHES MUST BE RE-ESTABLISHED

- Eric Mthobeli Naki

A new, good leader of the ANC will emerge in future, but for the party to be redeemed, it needs to start afresh and rebuild branches that are free of factionalism, corruption and influence from the top, ANC stalwart, lawyer and businessman Mathews Phosa said.

In an interview with The Citizen, Phosa said the ANC will elect a great leader after President Cyril Ramaphosa and even beyond.

That leader may not be among the current usual candidates for the party's presidency or in the party's top brass the national executive committee (NEC) - but is waiting in the wings to emerge.

"There are always questions about the contestants (for the ANC presidency), but it's premature to think that such a leader would emerge sooner. I am confident when that time comes, the right leader of the ANC will emerge," Phosa said.

"That leader may or may not be a member of the current NEC, but they will emerge at the right time to rescue the party from its current leadership crisis, corruption and factionalism.