mzansi-247.co.za
By Staff Reporter
Johannesburg – July 2025
As the African National Congress (ANC) prepares for its much-anticipated National Conference scheduled for December, political analysts, party members, and ordinary South Africans alike are closely watching the developments that could reshape the future of the ruling party—and, by extension, the country.
With factional battles intensifying, governance challenges mounting, and public trust steadily declining, the conference is shaping up to be one of the most consequential in recent memory. Central to the gathering will be debates over leadership renewal, policy direction, and the party’s electoral prospects ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Leadership Battles Loom
At the heart of the conference is the question of leadership. President Cyril Ramaphosa, who survived a bruising re-election campaign during the party’s 55th national conference in 2022, faces renewed opposition from within the ANC’s ranks. Although he has not formally confirmed whether he will seek a second term as party president, insiders suggest Ramaphosa’s allies are lobbying hard to secure backing amid growing dissent from the party’s so-called “Radical Economic Transformation” (RET) faction.
“There’s no doubt that this conference will determine whether the ANC continues on Ramaphosa’s reformist path or takes a different direction altogether,” says Dr. Sihle Msimang, a political analyst at the University of the Witwatersrand. “Internal divisions are at an all-time high, and this is the ANC’s opportunity to either unify or risk further fragmentation.”
Key contenders reportedly eyeing top positions include Deputy President Paul Mashatile, who has quietly built influence across several provinces, and former Health Minister Zweli Mkhize, who retains strong grassroots support despite facing corruption allegations related to the Digital Vibes scandal.
Policy Direction and Economic Recovery
While leadership contests will dominate headlines, policy debates may prove even more critical. South Africa is grappling with sluggish economic growth, record unemployment, and a deepening energy crisis. Delegates are expected to deliberate on the ANC’s approach to state-owned enterprises (SOEs), land redistribution, and the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI).
The ANC’s Economic Transformation Committee has prepared a comprehensive report to guide discussions. Among the proposals are stricter timelines for Eskom’s unbundling, a review of the Basic Income Grant feasibility, and enhanced support for township economies.
“This conference is not just about personalities,” says ANC NEC member Lindiwe Mthimkhulu. “It’s about whether we can return to being a movement rooted in people’s everyday struggles. Our communities are tired of excuses; they want delivery.”
However, critics argue the ANC has lost credibility on policy execution. “We’ve seen this movie before,” says Thabo Mahlangu, a Soweto resident and lifelong ANC supporter. “Every five years they promise the world, and then we’re back to loadshedding, potholes, and broken promises.”
The Electoral Landscape and Coalition Fears
The ANC’s electoral performance will weigh heavily on delegates’ minds. In the 2024 national elections, the party’s support dipped below 50% for the first time in a general election, forcing it into coalition agreements in several provinces, including Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
Polls suggest this trend could continue into 2026. The Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have both grown their support bases, while new political formations such as Rise Mzansi and ActionSA have made significant inroads in urban centers.
“Coalitions are the new normal,” says Prof. Steven Friedman, a political analyst and author. “The ANC must prepare itself for a future where governing alone is no longer guaranteed. That reality should shape their leadership choices and their policy platform.”
At provincial level, tensions are high as regions jostle for influence. The Eastern Cape and Limpopo branches have thrown their weight behind Ramaphosa, while KwaZulu-Natal is seen as the stronghold of the RET faction. The balance of power across provinces could prove decisive in shaping the conference outcome.
Governance, Ethics, and Cadre Deployment
Another major flashpoint will be the ANC’s stance on governance and ethics. The Zondo Commission’s findings continue to cast a long shadow, with growing calls for accountability and reform.
During a recent NEC meeting, several members reportedly pushed for the full implementation of the Zondo recommendations, including changes to the controversial cadre deployment policy. However, some in the party remain resistant.
“We can’t continue defending indefensible practices,” says ANC Youth League national spokesperson Sipho Manamela. “If the ANC wants to win back public trust, we must show we’re serious about clean governance.”
Still, critics believe reforms are unlikely unless enforced by the broader electorate or the courts. “The ANC’s internal accountability mechanisms are weak,” says Adv. Vuyani Ngwenya, a constitutional lawyer. “Without external pressure, little will change.”
Women and Youth Representation
One of the undercurrents expected to shape the conference is the question of representation. Women and youth leaders have called for greater inclusion at the highest levels of the party.
“We can’t keep recycling the same old faces while claiming to be a party of the future,” says Nomzamo Dlamini, a youth delegate from Mpumalanga. “It’s time for bold leadership and fresh ideas.”
The ANC Women’s League has submitted proposals aimed at enforcing gender parity within the NEC and provincial structures. There is also growing support for a generational mix within the Top Six leadership.
Unity or Fragmentation?
Perhaps the most pressing question facing the ANC is whether it can emerge from the conference united. Previous gatherings have left the party fractured, with factionalism bleeding into government performance and service delivery.
“This is a make-or-break moment,” says Msimang. “If the ANC doesn’t come out of this with a clear direction and credible leadership, it risks accelerating its own decline.”
Delegates will convene at Nasrec, Johannesburg, from 13 to 17 December. In addition to leadership elections and policy discussions, the conference will mark 113 years since the ANC’s founding—a moment for introspection, renewal, or reckoning.
What Ordinary Citizens Are Saying
For many South Africans, the conference feels distant from their everyday struggles. But the outcome will have real implications.
“Honestly, I just want leaders who can fix electricity and create jobs,” says Nhlanhla Zwane, a taxi driver from Umlazi. “They must stop fighting among themselves and start serving us.”
In Khayelitsha, 28-year-old entrepreneur Asanda Mpofu echoes this view. “We’ve lost hope in politics. But if this conference can bring change, maybe we’ll believe again.”
Final Word
As December approaches, all eyes will be on Nasrec. The ANC stands at a political crossroads, caught between tradition and transformation, power and accountability, unity and internal division.
The choices made at the upcoming National Conference will not only shape the future of the party but will also define South Africa’s path forward in a time of great uncertainty.
Whether the ANC can rise to the occasion—or falter under its own contradictions—remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the stakes have never been higher.
For continued coverage of the ANC National Conference, follow News24’s live updates and analysis online.
