Podcast host and vocal commentator Mbuyiseni Ndlozi fired off a pointed X post on March 10, 2026, dismissing rumors that mining billionaire Patrice Motsepe could be eyeing the African National Congress (ANC) presidency.
Despite Motsepe’s firm denials, whispers of his ambitions refuse to die down, fueled by a slick new campaign website and his fresh resignation as chairman of Shanduka Group, the company he co-founded years ago. In South African political circles, these moves scream “prepping for a run,” even as the tycoon insists he’s not interested.
Ndlozi didn’t mince words: Motsepe, he argued, is woefully unprepared to helm the ANC a party steeped in decades of liberation struggle and gritty politicking. “Nothing in his CV screams political leader,” Ndlozi tweeted, stressing that corporate success in boardrooms doesn’t translate to navigating the ANC’s factional battles, policy mazes, or voter demands. For Ndlozi, Motsepe’s billionaire status is a mismatch for a movement born from grassroots activism.
Social media erupted with divided takes. Ndlozi’s backers piled on, agreeing that Motsepe’s lack of party trenches experience makes him a risky pick. They painted him as a suit too polished for the rough-and-tumble of ANC politics, where insiders with deep historical roots reign supreme. “Business smarts ≠ revolutionary leadership,” one user echoed.
Let us all believe Motsepe when he says he has no intention of leading the ANC.
The man is at the twilight of his career with an incredible record of success. Why the hell would he put himself in a situation where the last dying breath of the ANC takes place in his hands?…
— Mbuyiseni Ndlozi (@MbuyiseniNdlozi) March 10, 2026
Detractors pushed back hard, drawing parallels to Cyril Ramaphosa who swapped mining mogul life for ANC top dog and Union Buildings and even U.S. ex-prez Donald Trump, the ultimate outsider-turned-leader. “Why not Motsepe?
His clean image and deep pockets could lure voters back to the ANC,” fans argued, envisioning an electoral boost from his untainted rep amid the party’s scandals. Yet skeptics countered: Without active ANC membership or branch buy-in, is he even eligible? Branches hold the real power in picking leaders.
The buzz captures South Africa’s fixation on the ANC’s next chapter. As Motsepe rumors swirl, Ndlozi’s critique spotlights a core tension: Does the party crave a fresh business-savvy face to revive its fortunes, or stick to battle-hardened politicos? The debate rages on X, mirroring national anxieties over leadership in turbulent times.
