By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) has decided to reconfigure its Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provincial executive committees (PECs) after weeks of deliberations.
The two provinces were the party’s biggest losers at the polls, with Gauteng dropping from more than 50% to 36% of the vote, while KZN declined from 54.2% in 2019 to 17%.
The ANC also suffered a sharp decline nationally, dropping to 40% electoral support. This was the first time since the dawn of democracy, which saw party losing its majority across the country.
The disbanding decision of the two PECs favoured by most National Working Committee (NWC) members but the move collapsed after President Cyril Ramaphosa had shot down the idea.
Top leaders like Nomvula Mokonyane, the deputy secretary-general, deputy president Paul Mashatile and chairperson Gwede Mantashe said they would not support the plan, instead, they would come up with ideas to improve the PECs.
The party’s national executive committee (NEC) met for a two-day meeting this weekend to consider whether it would disband or reconfigure the two provinces.
At a media briefing on Monday afternoon, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said the party’s highest decision-making body in between conferences resolved on the reconfiguration.
The NEC welcomed the report of the National Working Committee, presented to the NEC by the secretary-general, dealing with the challenges the ANC is facing in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, particularly in relation to the electoral losses suffered in the two provinces,” Mbalula said.
“The NEC agreed that the state of organisation in all our provinces requires urgent action following the loss of elections,” Mbalula said.
“The loss the ANC suffered in the two key provinces required immediate action, as the two provinces were not only the most populous, but economic hubs of the country.”
He added that the party should foster unity and focus on rebuilding its structures, political education and leadership.
The NEC agreed that any action should be based on these principles and not interfere with the work of the provincial government, he said.
Mbalula acknowledged that the ANC faced challenges beyond Gauteng and KZN, with declining electoral support across the country.
“We have dropped everywhere in the country but has lost Gauteng and KZN. So, we had to take a deep dive to say how do we arrest the possibility of a total demise.”
Mbalula said details of the reconfiguration would be finalised in a week.
Last month reports were rife that Mbalula was eyeing the position of president at the party’s next elections and Lesufi could be seen as standing in his way.
It is believed that Mashatile also wants to ascend to the presidency position while lobbying Panyaza Lesufi to be his deputy, which would make it difficult for Mbalula to be the president.