By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) has made sweeping changes to leadership in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) as part of the plan to reconfigure the two provinces.
The national working committee (NWC) meeting held in Cape Town on Monday dissolved the provincial executive committees of both provinces, meaning KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng will be led by provincial task teams.
The NWC has resolved to bring in Jeff Radebe as convener in KZN, while Amos Masondo will lead Gauteng, alongside Panyaza Lesufi.
Former Provincial Chairperson Sboniso Duma survives the chop as Deputy Convenor of the province.
Mike Mabuyakhulu, who stepped aside from his role as deputy provincial chairperson in the face of corruption allegations but has since been acquitted, will take on the role of coordinator in KZN. He is expected to take over from Bheki Mtolo.
Hope Papo, who previously served as Gauteng’s secretary, will be appointed as its coordinator, takes over from TK Nciza.
The ANC resolved to have the two PECs reconfigured within the framework of its constitution last month; a decision that was mainly made following the party’s poor performance in the May 2024 elections.
2025 will prove pivotal for the party to regain the support of the electorate as the 2026 Local Government Elections approach.
A massive loss of electoral support in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng contributed to the ANC dipping below 50% nationally for the first time.