Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi. (File photo)
Gauteng Premier Panyza Lesufi’s opposition to the ANC working with the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the government of national unity appears to be paying off with the party’s alliance partners.
The ANC leadership wants the discussion about who replaces Cyril Ramaphosa as party president in 2027 to hold off until after the 2026 local government elections, but factions in the ANC and its partners are already eyeing potential contenders and the Gauteng premier is likely to emerge as a key figure.
Despite the ANC’s loss of its majority in the province under his watch, sections of the ANC and its alliance partners are indicating their support for him.
Lesufi is reportedly being backed as a potential ANC president by those in the party who are not happy with its decision to work with its current coalition partners in national government, rather than with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party.
In interviews with the Mail & Guardian, several senior ANC leaders and alliance partners who requested anonymity expressed confidence in Lesufi’s leadership capabilities and his stance.
One senior South African Communist Party (SACP) leader said the Gauteng premier had demonstrated his commitment to the ANC’s historical mission and working-class interests, particularly through the formation of a government of provincial unity (GPU) that left out the DA and Freedom Front Plus (FF+).
“Lesufi is one candidate we know would not betray the movement. His stance against the GPU with the DA and FF+ has proven to us that he understands the history of the ANC and will protect the interests of the working class,” said the SACP leader, who declined to be named.
Labour federation Cosatu has also raised concerns about the ANC’s coalition arrangements. In July, Cosatu criticised the partnership with the DA, describing it as inconsistent with the goals of the “national democratic revolution” (NDR), an SACP and ANC ideological strategy that seeks to provide the most direct route to socialism to address historical injustices.
Cosatu’s spokesperson, Mathew Parks, said the federation had not discussed supporting any candidate for the ANC’s 2027 conference, noting: “The ANC’s constitutional process hasn’t even started yet, and it’s too early for us to comment.
“We respect the internal processes of our alliance partners and wouldn’t want them commenting on ours,” Parks added.
The SACP has publicly raised its concerns about the ANC’s coalitions. It has expressed its dissatisfaction with the direction the liberation party is taking, especially its perceived ideological alignment with the DA and right-wing parties.
The SACP has been vocal in calling for a return to the ANC’s traditional values, and its leaders have indicated that they may push for a change in the party’s coalition strategy.
Discussions between ANC and SACP leaders over the weekend focused on addressing the growing tensions between the two parties.
The SACP expressed alarm over the ANC’s perceived shift toward right-wing alliances, with some of its leaders calling for a reassertion of the NDR in the ANC’s policies.
In an interview with podcaster Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh, Lesufi argued that the ANC should prioritise alliances with parties more aligned with its historical mission, such as the EFF and the MK party.
“It is short-sightedness for some of our leaders to believe that the DA and Freedom Front love us,” he said. “We must find leaders that consolidate and ensure we work with those who share our aspirations.”
These remarks have drawn criticism from ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula, who supports the GNU arrangement and accused Lesufi of undermining the decisions of the ANC’s national executive committee, warning of possible disciplinary action for bringing the party into disrepute.
Last month, Mbalula summoned Lesufi to a meeting with senior ANC officials to address his remarks. While the meeting was initially framed as a disciplinary matter, Mbalula later described it as a routine consultation.
Mbalula has been criticised for what the leaders argue is his “bourgeoisie” character, with one saying: “He can sell us to the highest bidder, if given the chance.”
Lesufi’s criticism of the unity government has also placed him at odds with DA federal council chair Helen Zille, who accused the premier of being a “rogue” figure and a “stumbling block” to ANC-DA cooperation in Gauteng.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile, who chairs the GNU clearing house set up to resolve issues between partners, has downplayed these tensions, stating that the ANC was prepared to move forward without the DA if necessary.
“All parties must be reasonable in what they want, in what we do, because the GNU can’t survive if people come with unreasonable demands,” Mashatile said.
Mashatile’s defence of the unity government may benefit Lesufi — who is increasingly being seen as the face of internal opposition to the coalition with the DA in the party — particularly in Gauteng.
Lesufi’s name has been floated alongside other potential candidates for the ANC’s top position, including Mashatile, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola and Minister in the Presidency Gwen Ramokgopa.
Some alliance partners have expressed concerns about Mashatile’s health and his associations with factions tied to former president Jacob Zuma. Fallout over his backing of the GNU may add to these concerns.
“Mashatile has aged, and his health is something we worry about, which makes Lesufi the suitable contender because he understands the direction the party needs to take,” a senior ANC leader said.
Lamola, regarded as a younger and reformist figure in the ANC, has also garnered attention for his potential candidacy. Ramokgopa is viewed as a stabilising force aligned with Ramaphosa’s leadership, while Northern Cape Premier Zamani Saul has gained recognition for his governance record in the province, despite the ANC also losing control there.
Gauteng has become a central battleground in the ANC’s leadership contest, with the province playing a significant role in shaping the party’s coalition strategies and leadership decisions.
Once a stronghold for the ANC, Gauteng has experienced declining support because of issues such as urbanisation, economic inequality and poor delivery of services. Lesufi’s leadership in Gauteng has drawn criticism for governance failures, but his influence in the province has allowed him to remain a key player in the ANC’s internal politics.
The province has backed his stance, with the Gauteng executive committee clashing with national structures over the party’s coalition strategy, particularly its discussions with the DA.
The ANC’s internal divisions have extended to other provinces, including KwaZulu-Natal, where Mbalula has faced criticism for his handling of disciplinary matters involving party leaders, with some accusing him of fuelling factionalism in the interest of his own presidential ambitions.