Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has predicted a significant leadership change within the African National Congress (ANC) at its 2027 elective conference, forecasting the rise of a president strongly opposed to the Government of National Unity (GNU).
Speaking at a recent media briefing, Malema pointed to growing internal dissatisfaction within the ANC as the catalyst for this anticipated shift. He argued that frustrations over the GNU—a coalition formed after the 2024 general elections—would push ANC members to elect a leader committed to the party’s traditional values and independence.
“The ANC’s rank and file will eventually rebel against the GNU,” Malema stated. “The ANC of 2027 will have no choice but to elect a leader who represents its historical mission and rejects the sell-out nature of this coalition.”
The GNU, described by Malema as a “marriage of convenience,” was established after no party secured a majority in the 2024 elections. Under President Cyril Ramaphosa, the ANC formed a coalition with several opposition parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA), to maintain governance. However, this arrangement has faced criticism from ANC factions, the tripartite alliance, and opposition parties like the EFF.
Malema accused the DA of prioritizing corporate interests over the needs of South Africans, arguing that the compromises made in the GNU have alienated the ANC’s grassroots supporters. He suggested that these tensions would deepen, leading to policy disagreements and further instability in the coalition.
“The ANC leadership must decide whether to stand with the people or continue pandering to the interests of capital,” Malema said, warning that the party’s survival hinges on its ability to break free from the coalition and reconnect with its base.
While ANC insiders have dismissed Malema’s remarks as speculative, they acknowledge the growing rifts within the party. Analysts agree that the outcome of the ANC’s 2027 elective conference could profoundly impact South Africa’s political landscape, potentially reshaping alliances and redefining the ruling party’s direction.
As debates over the GNU’s sustainability persist, Malema’s prediction underscores the fragility of the coalition and the high stakes for the ANC’s future leadership and vision.
