Johannesburg – In a surprising turn of events, ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe has declared that he will not be vying for any top seven leadership position within the party when his current term concludes in December 2027. Mantashe, a veteran of South African politics and widely regarded as one of the ANC's sharpest minds, also stated that he will not be available for election as an additional member of the national executive committee (NEC).
Mantashe's announcement comes amidst swirling rumours of a secret pact with ANC deputy president Paul Mashatile, fuelling speculation about the future leadership of the ruling party.
According to sources within the ANC, Mashatile and Mantashe have allegedly struck a deal whereby Mantashe would support Mashatile's bid for the ANC presidency at the 2027 national conference. In return, Mashatile, upon securing the top job, would then back Mantashe to become the country's "caretaker president" until 2029, mirroring the arrangement that saw Kgalema Motlanthe assume the presidency in 2008 after Thabo Mbeki's ousting.
However, Mantashe vehemently denies the existence of any such agreement, citing his intention to retire in 2027 due to his age.
“There is no way I can be caretaker president because in 2027 I will not be available for election because I will be 72, and in 2029, when the term of government ends, I will be 74,” said Mantashe.
“I am leaving. I do not have a deal with anyone. That is just mischief because during the January 8 festivities in Cape Town, the rumour was that I have a deal with (Fikile) Mbalula, because I had dinner with him. Now, can I not meet my comrades?”
Despite Mantashe's denials, the rumours persist, with some suggesting that his stance on the disbandment of the Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provincial executive committees (PECs) is evidence of his alignment with Mashatile.
According to them, it was no coincidence that Mantashe opposed the disbandment of the two provinces, the same position assumed by Mashatile.
“In that NEC that discussed the disbandment, it was Mbalula versus Gwede, although you media people correctly misread it as Mbalula versus Paul. Let me tell you, Paul has no power in the ANC; Gwede fought for him,” said a senior informant within the liberation movement.
“But what is not said is why Gwede is playing the role he is playing. Paul said to him, ‘In 2027, when I come in as ANC president, you will be caretaker president like Motlanthe for two years, and then I will take over from you in 2029.’
“So, do not be fooled; Gwede wants to retire having been president of the country, so that is why he has been working flatout on this thing. And Paul is playing right into it, telling him he is not in a hurry; he will give Gwede the machine to hold it until 2029.”
However, some ANC leaders sympathetic to Mantashe said marrying him to Mashatile was opportunistic and unfounded, given the duo’s tumultuous history, as recent as after the 2022 ANC national conference.
However, they believe that Mantashe will continue to influence the direction of the ANC, even if there is no prize for him.
“Gwede is just a spoiler. He is one of those guys who would spoil a party they did not even attend. The likes who would promise to buy the booze and call and ask, ‘Who is there?’ And when they find out, then suddenly they change to ‘Actually, I am not buying that alcohol anymore.’
“So, Mantashe and his moves now going forward are tantamount to spoiling a party he is not even part of.”
Mashatile’s advisor and spokesperson Keith Khoza said there was no deal between the two NC big wigs.
“There has not been such a discussion between the Deputy President of the ANC and the National Chair because that process of campaigning is still yet to come. At the moment the ANC NEC has taken a decision that NEC members should not entertain the succession debate until it is officially open closer to the national conference,” said Khoza.
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