As internal tension grows within the African National Congress (ANC), Deputy President Paul Mashatile and Deputy Secretary-General Nomvula Mokonyane are firmly opposing proposals to disband the party’s provincial leadership in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. The issue has become a focal point of discussion within the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC), raising questions about the party’s direction and balance of power as it gears up for the 2024 national elections.
Proponents of the disbandment argue that the current leadership in these key provinces has struggled to mobilize and unify members. In KwaZulu-Natal, a former ANC stronghold, the party’s influence has visibly declined, while Gauteng remains a high-stakes region due to its economic significance and substantial voter base. Supporters of restructuring believe that new leadership might revitalize the ANC’s prospects in these areas.
However, Mashatile and Mokonyane have voiced strong objections, stressing that dismantling provincial structures could lead to further instability within the ANC. Mashatile, who served as Gauteng’s provincial chairperson for years, believes such a move would signal a lack of trust in the provincial leadership’s ability to manage local challenges. Mokonyane, deeply connected to KwaZulu-Natal, has argued that strengthening—rather than disbanding—provincial structures is essential to maintain institutional knowledge and community ties.
Analysts see the debate as indicative of broader factional divisions within the ANC. Some NEC members view the current provincial leadership as misaligned with the party’s overarching goals, while others warn that disbandment could damage party unity and alienate local supporters.
The outcome of this decision will have substantial implications, not only for the ANC’s internal cohesion but also for its influence in these strategic provinces ahead of the 2024 elections. For the ANC, managing provincial unity and stability may be essential to sustaining voter confidence and maintaining its national foothold in a challenging political landscape.