ANC head of elections Mdumiseni Ntuli has stated that no current National Executive Committee (NEC) member would qualify to be the party’s next president if the ANC performs poorly in the 2026 local government elections.
Speaking on the sidelines of the ANC’s National General Council, Ntuli said the NEC’s legacy of declining electoral support—from 57% in previous national elections to 40% in 2024—is a “huge indictment.” He argued that anyone seeking the presidency after another weak election result would lack credibility.
Ntuli’s comments intensify the internal debate about who should succeed President Cyril Ramaphosa. Names previously suggested include Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, Deputy President Paul Mashatile, and National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza.
He criticized current leaders for positioning themselves for higher office instead of focusing on rebuilding the party’s membership and structures. Ntuli suggested that if the party continues to struggle, it may need to look outside the NEC for its next president.
His remarks contrast with Mbalula’s recent comments on the stability of the Government of National Unity. Ntuli clarified that an NEC decision to expand the GNU remains in place, but implementation has been slow.