By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) has announced the election of Khusela Diko and Thoko Didiza to its National Working Committee (NWC).
ANC held its ordinary National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting from 14–16 November 2025 at the Germiston Council Chambers.
The NWC is a body responsible for the day-to-day running of the party. It comprises 27 members, including the top seven officials and 20 additional members elected by the NEC.
Diko and Didiza were filling two key vacant positions within the NWC, the process was led by party’s Electoral Committee chairperson Kgalema Motlanthe to ensure transparency.
The two were replacing the late Tina Joemat-Pettersson and Peggy Nkonyeni, who resigned due to ill health.
The NEC gathering covered a range of critical issues, including preparations for the G20 Summit hosted by South Africa from 18-19 November 2025, updates on the arrival of Palestinian asylum seekers, and the party’s state of readiness for the National General Council (NGC) in three weeks.
In his closing address to the NEC which snubbed media, President Cyril Ramaphosa directly confronted those pushing for his resignation, urging them to raise the matter openly.
He said, that if I am told to leave, I would do so without any hesitation.”
Fullview learnt there are calls within the party to oust Ramaphosa, disband the NEC, and replace the leadership with a national task team led by former president Thabo Mbeki.
The speculation over Ramaphosa’s successor was reignited by media reports suggesting he may step down after the G20 leaders’ summit.
Ramaphosa is nearing the end of his tenure as ANC president, with his second and final term set to conclude in December 2027. However, this does not mark the end of his role as President of the Republic, which is expected to continue until the national parliamentary elections in 2029.
Historically, the ANC has sought to avoid a scenario in which the party president and the head of state are two different individuals—a duality that once defined its leadership structure.
This changed dramatically in 2007 when Jacob Zuma was elected president. His newly appointed NEC swiftly moved to consolidate power, pressuring then-President Mbeki to resign in September 2008 so Zuma could assume both roles. Zuma’s leadership effectively ended the era of dual centres of power, establishing a precedent where the ANC president also serves as the country’s president.
Whether the ANC leadership will be tempted to recall Ramaphosa when his party presidency ends in 2027 remains uncertain. However, if the precedent set by the last two transitions holds, it is plausible that Ramaphosa could be removed before his national term concludes in 2029.
The ANC will host a media briefing tomorrow to be led by secretary general Fikile Mbalula and Motlanthe, on the party’s preparations for the 2026 Local Government Elections.