ANC cadres start 'reckless' fight for positions in 2027

It may seem like a long time to the ANC's 56th national elective conference in 2027, marking the end of President Cyril Ramaphosa's leadership in the embattled party, but early jostling for positions among its cadres has begun and is causing concern.

- Brian Sokutu

For Northern Cape premier Dr Zamani Saul, the fact that the ANC was hammered in the 2024 polls, getting just 40%, calls for introspection and a break from its self-serving ways.

Saul said he was concerned about the danger for the government of national unity (GNU) should the ANC perform dismally in the 2026 local government elections, and over dwindling ANC electoral support.

He was also worried that the ANC national executive committee had become a stumbling block in efforts to rebuild and renew the party.

Saul, who cited the "reckless and adventurous behaviour" of some ANC leaders, confirmed that there were "people already projecting themselves for the 2029 national elective conference of the ANC".