Lobby group says Motsepe is the man to unite the nation

Political, business leaders mobilising organised campaign

- By Mawande AmaShabalala

Billionaire businessman and Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe enjoys the support of a formidable lobby group inside the ANC, campaigning for him to lead the party - and potentially the nation - into a new post President Cyril Ramaphosa era.

Behind closed doors, a coalition of politicians, business leaders and professionals is mobilising a meticulously organised campaign to position Motsepe as the ANC’s presidential candidate ahead of its pivotal 2027 national conference.

Operating in secrecy due to the ANC’s gag order on succession debates, Motsepe’s lobbyists, who spoke anonymously to Sunday World during an interview this week, are confident their campaign is unstoppable.

ANC national leaders we spoke to appear nonchalant, but Motsepe’s lobbyists are adamant that their man has agreed to run but will not come out publicly until the ANC succession debate is officially open.

The campaign is full throttle on social media platforms and in ANC structures across the country, they say, and it has the blessings of serving ANC NEC members and ministers, who themselves are scared of coming out publicly to endorse Motsepe.

Eastern Cape, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng have been identified as provinces of interest to use as the launching pads.