ANC
By Thabo Mosia
The African National Congress (ANC) in Gauteng has disbanded its Johannesburg and Tshwane Regional Executive Committees (RECs), replacing them with Regional Task Teams (RTTs), while some branch members raise questions about the legitimacy of the Ekurhuleni RTT. This major shake-up in Gauteng, detailed in official letters from the ANC’s Gauteng Provincial Co-ordinator’s office, is part of the party’s push to renew its structures and gear up for the 2026 local government elections. However, concerns in Ekurhuleni signal possible cracks in the ANC’s efforts to stay united and strong.
Major Changes in Johannesburg and Tshwane
The ANC’s Gauteng leadership has made bold moves to restructure its regional bodies. Official letters dated 17 June 2025, signed by Hope Mankwana Papo, the Provincial Co-ordinator, confirm that the Johannesburg and Tshwane RECs were disestablished after their terms ended on 5 June 2025. In their place, RTTs have been set up to lead these key regions until their Regional Conferences later in 2025.
Johannesburg’s New Direction
In Johannesburg, the letter was addressed to Comrade Sasabona Manganye, the former Regional Secretary. It explains that the Provincial Task Team (PTT) decided on 12 June 2025 to replace the REC with an RTT, starting 16 June 2025. The RTT will run the show until the Regional Conference, with a clear mission: unite, rebuild, and renew the ANC’s structures at branch and regional levels. The letter stresses the need to avoid a “leadership gap/vacuum” and prepare for the conference, part of a bigger plan tied to the ANC’s “Year of Renewal” to make the party stronger for the people.
Tshwane Follows Suit
The Tshwane letter, sent to Comrade George Matjila, the former Regional Secretary, mirrors the Johannesburg decision. The RTT here will operate until the “6th Regional Conference” in 2025, also starting on 16 June 2025. The reasons are the same: the REC’s term ended, and the ANC needs to keep its momentum going for renewal and the upcoming elections. The RTT is tasked with strengthening the party and ensuring it’s ready for the challenges ahead.
Both letters highlight the ANC’s focus on avoiding leadership gaps that could hurt its political work. They also tie the changes to the party’s 113th anniversary celebrations, with a banner wishing success in uniting, rebuilding, and winning the “2026/27 local government elections.”
Ekurhuleni RTT Faces Legitimacy Concerns
While Johannesburg and Tshwane have clear plans, the Ekurhuleni RTT is under scrutiny. Some branch members are questioning whether it’s legitimate, though no official details explain why. This uncertainty isn’t covered in the Johannesburg or Tshwane letters, but it points to possible disagreements or confusion within the ANC’s Gauteng ranks. Ekurhuleni is a vital area for the ANC, and any doubts about its leadership could spell trouble as the party prepares for 2026.
Why the ANC Is Making These Changes
The ANC says these moves are about renewal and staying strong. The letters list key reasons:
The RECs’ terms ended on 5 June 2025, so new leadership was needed.
The party is in the middle of a big organisational programme to unite and rebuild.
The Regional Conferences in 2025 need proper preparation.
A “leadership gap/vacuum” would hurt the ANC’s work in these regions.
This fits into a larger picture. The ANC has been struggling since its poor showing in the 2021 local government elections, where it lost ground in places like Johannesburg and Tshwane. The party’s national vote share fell below 50% for the first time, pushing leaders to act. In Gauteng, the Provincial Task Team (PTT), led by former Johannesburg mayor Amos Masondo, is driving this renewal. Other PTT members include Premier Panyaza Lesufi (Co-Convener), Ntombi Mekgwe (Deputy Co-Convener), and Hope Mankwana Papo (Co-ordinator), with Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko and Tasneem Motara also playing roles.
Gauteng’s Bigger Picture
The changes in Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni are part of a wider effort in Gauteng. In late 2024, the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) decided to “reconfigure” the Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provincial executive committees after weak election results. The Gauteng PTT was formed in early 2025 to lead this process, focusing on fixing internal divisions and boosting the party’s image. Masondo’s team is working to recover lost support in urban areas, where the ANC has been losing to rivals like the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
Recent updates show the ANC isn’t stopping here. In July 2025, the party announced plans to train RTT members across Gauteng to improve their skills in governance and community work. This training, set to finish by December 2025, aims to make sure the RTTs can deliver results and win back voters. The ANC also plans to hold special branch meetings in August 2025 to explain these changes and calm any worries, especially in Ekurhuleni.
Challenges Ahead for 2026 Elections
The ANC has its eyes on the 2026 local government elections, where it hopes to turn things around. Losing control of big cities like Johannesburg and Tshwane in 2021 was a wake-up call. The RTTs are meant to rebuild trust by focusing on service delivery and community needs—issues that cost the ANC votes last time. In Tshwane, for example, residents have long complained about water shortages and potholes, while Johannesburg has faced power cuts and housing delays.
But the Ekurhuleni legitimacy questions could trip up these plans. If members don’t trust the RTT, it might weaken the ANC’s unity and campaign efforts. Party leaders have promised to look into these concerns, with some hinting at a special meeting before the end of 2025 to sort things out. For now, no clear answers have come from the top, leaving Ekurhuleni members waiting.
Voices from the Ground
ANC members have mixed feelings. In Johannesburg, one branch leader said, “This is a fresh start. The RTT can focus on what matters—fixing our branches and winning back the people.” But in Ekurhuleni, a member shared, “We’re not sure who picked this RTT or why. It doesn’t feel right, and we need answers.” These views show the challenge the ANC faces: balancing renewal with trust.
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