Johannesburg, South Africa – The African National Congress (ANC) is in a state of internal turmoil following the emergence of a highly controversial campaign, dubbed "PM27," which is actively lobbying for billionaire mining magnate Patrice Motsepe to become the party's next president in 2027. The campaign, which has been met with a stern and immediate condemnation from the ANC's National Executive Committee (NEC), is seen as a direct threat to party unity and a blatant violation of internal resolutions against premature leadership contests.
The "PM27" moniker, while initially ambiguous, has been widely interpreted to stand for Patrice Motsepe 2027. Motsepe, who is the brother-in-law of current President Cyril Ramaphosa, has long been a figure of immense wealth and influence in South Africa. The prospect of a billionaire taking the helm of the ANC has ignited a fierce debate within the party, with some viewing it as a necessary injection of business acumen and others seeing it as a dangerous corporatisation of the liberation movement.
The ANC NEC, in its condemnation, described the campaign as "divisive" and a clear breach of the party's resolutions that prohibit leadership campaigns in the run-up to the national conference. The party has issued a stern warning, calling on "PM27" supporters and funders to "desist immediately" from their activities. This strong reaction highlights the deep-seated anxiety within the ANC about the potential for internal factionalism to derail its focus ahead of the crucial 2029 national elections.
The controversy is reminiscent of the highly contested "CR17" campaign that propelled Cyril Ramaphosa to the presidency, a campaign that was also shrouded in secrecy and controversy over its funding. The parallels are not lost on political analysts, with one commentator, Adriaan Basson, drawing a direct line between the two, offering "Tips for Patrice from a brother-in-law" in a satirical yet pointed opinion piece. The "PM27" campaign, much like its predecessor, raises uncomfortable questions about the role of money in internal ANC politics and the potential for wealthy individuals to unduly influence the party's direction.
Adding fuel to the fire is the alleged involvement of high-profile figures in the lobbying efforts. Reports suggest that individuals such as Ishmael Mnisi, the spokesperson for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), have been actively involved in promoting Motsepe's candidacy. The use of public servants or individuals associated with state entities in internal party political campaigns further blurs the lines between state and party, a persistent criticism levelled against the ANC.
The ANC's official position is that the focus should be on unity and service delivery, not on internal power struggles. However, the very existence and the party's strong reaction to the "PM27" campaign suggest that the internal battle lines are already being drawn. The campaign is not just about a person; it is about the future ideological direction of the ANC – whether it will lean towards a more business-friendly, capitalistic approach, or return to its traditional roots of radical economic transformation.
The coming months are likely to see an escalation of this internal conflict. The ANC's attempt to "halt leadership campaigns" is a difficult, if not impossible, task in a party known for its intense factionalism. The "PM27" campaign, whether officially sanctioned by Motsepe or not, has opened a Pandora's Box, forcing the ANC to confront the uncomfortable reality of its internal divisions and the powerful influence of money in its political processes. The outcome of this internal struggle will have profound implications not just for the ANC, but for the entire political landscape of South Africa.
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