In a move that has caught the attention of both party insiders and the media, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has issued a direct instruction to party leaders in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) to refrain from engaging with the press regarding the recent decision to reconfigure the provincial executive committees (PECs). This directive follows the ANC’s disappointing performance in the recent national elections, particularly in these two key provinces, which played a central role in the party’s reduced share of the vote.
During a tense, two-day meeting in Boksburg over the weekend, the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) discussed the underperformance in Gauteng, which garnered just 35% of the vote, and KZN, where the party secured only 17%. The national results marked a historic shift, with the ANC capturing only 40% of the vote, the lowest share since the end of apartheid. This drop in electoral support has shaken the party’s foundations, prompting a swift decision to restructure the PECs in both provinces.
Mbalula’s letter to provincial leaders made it clear that he alone is authorized to speak on behalf of the NEC regarding the changes in Gauteng and KZN. He further instructed all ANC spokespersons, leaders, and members not to make any public comments about the reconfiguration process until further notice. This move highlights the sensitivity of the situation and the party’s desire to manage communications carefully in the wake of the election results.
The reconfiguration process is set to unfold over the coming days. Mbalula stated that both the Gauteng and KZN PECs would be briefed on the NEC’s decisions by Tuesday of the following week. In addition, members of the National Working Committee (NWC) will visit the provinces to deliver the party’s national resolution in person, aiming to clarify the rationale behind the reconfigurations and outline the next steps.
Amid this political reshuffling, the ANC in KZN is pressing ahead with plans for its 113th anniversary rally, which is scheduled for early next month in Pietermaritzburg. Despite suggestions that the party should pause all public activities until the NWC meeting concludes, KZN provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo has moved forward with finalizing the rally’s logistics. The same sentiment seems to be echoed in Gauteng, where the provincial party is also preparing for its anniversary celebrations next month, a show of resilience even as the party faces internal challenges.
These developments reflect a party grappling with its position in a rapidly changing political landscape. While the ANC is moving forward with its anniversary celebrations, the looming reconfiguration of the PECs serves as a reminder of the difficult decisions ahead. The process will undoubtedly impact the future of the party in these key provinces, with both Gauteng and KZN playing a crucial role in determining the ANC’s ability to reclaim its former political dominance.
As the party navigates this challenging period, the directive from Mbalula to maintain silence on the matter is a clear signal that the ANC intends to handle its internal restructuring with caution and discipline. The coming weeks will likely provide further insight into the party’s strategy to regroup and regain its footing, particularly in provinces where its grip on power has weakened.
