African National Congress (ANC)
By Thabo Mosia
Johannesburg, 26 February 2025 – The African National Congress (ANC) has overhauled its leadership in Gauteng, South Africa’s economic heartland, as the party prepares for the 2026 local government elections. ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula unveiled a newly appointed Gauteng Provincial Task Team (PTT) to replace the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) in a bid to rejuvenate the party’s fortunes in the province  . This reconfiguration of ANC Gauteng’s leadership comes on the heels of the party’s poor performance in the 2024 general elections, where it lost its outright majority in the province for the first time since the end of apartheid  . Mbalula’s announcement, made at a press briefing in Midrand on Wednesday, forms part of the ANC’s broader “renewal” agenda and is aimed at strengthening internal structures, regaining voter trust, and reversing electoral setbacks ahead of the crucial municipal polls in 2026  .
Gauteng: A Crucial Stronghold in South African Politics
Gauteng is widely regarded as South Africa’s political and economic nerve centre, encompassing the country’s largest city Johannesburg, the capital Pretoria, and a population of over 15 million people. Long considered an ANC stronghold and the country’s most populous and economically significant province , Gauteng has historically been pivotal to the ANC’s national dominance. Since 1994, the ANC had consistently governed Gauteng with comfortable majorities, though its grip has been gradually slipping in recent years. In the 2019 elections, the ANC’s support in Gauteng dipped to just over 50%, barely holding on to the province. The 2024 general elections marked a dramatic turning point: the ANC’s provincial vote share plunged to 34.5%  , a drop of about 19 percentage points from 2019. This collapse not only ended the ANC’s three-decade unbroken rule in Gauteng but also forced the party into forming a minority coalition government in the country’s economic hub  .
The significance of Gauteng in South African politics cannot be overstated. The province is home to the largest share of the country’s GDP and a microcosm of its diverse electorate – urban and peri-urban communities, business hubs, sprawling townships, and informal settlements. It has been a bellwether province: how Gauteng votes often foreshadows the national outcome. The ANC’s weakening hold here set off alarm bells within the party leadership. Analysts note that Gauteng has turned into a fierce battleground where the ANC now faces a real prospect of losing control to opposition parties  . With local government elections due in 2026, which will decide control of key metropolitan municipalities like Johannesburg, Tshwane (Pretoria), and Ekurhuleni, the ANC is under intense pressure to regain public confidence in this province that was once its stronghold.
Mbalula highlighted Gauteng’s importance in the party’s recovery strategy, calling it a “vital political battleground” where the ANC must consolidate its leadership to advance transformation . He acknowledged that Gauteng, alongside KwaZulu-Natal, played a central role in the ANC’s overall electoral decline in 2024, which saw the party’s national vote share fall to 41%, its lowest ever  . “Today, Gauteng remains a vital political battleground… the country’s most populous and economically significant province,” Mbalula said, underlining why the ANC cannot afford to lose further ground in Gauteng  .
NEC Intervenes After Dismal 2024 Showing
The ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) took the extraordinary step of dissolving the Gauteng PEC and installing an interim leadership after reviewing the party’s dismal performance in the May 2024 elections  . In Gauteng, the ANC not only fell well short of a majority, but opposition parties made significant inroads, threatening the ANC’s long-term hold on the province. The NEC’s decision, made in late 2024 and finalized at the start of 2025, was driven by a recognition that “business as usual” could not continue if the party hopes to reverse its decline. According to ANC insiders, the intervention was part of the party’s “renewal agenda” – an effort to revitalise ANC structures, improve governance, and root out problems that have alienated voters .
“We faced an unprecedented situation: the ANC polling in the 30s in Gauteng and even lower in other heartland provinces. The NEC had to act decisively,” one senior party official noted. The ANC constitution empowers the NEC to suspend or dissolve a provincial executive committee when necessary and appoint an interim structure  . Mbalula was at pains to emphasize that the Gauteng leadership reconfiguration is in line with these constitutional provisions, dispelling concerns that the national leadership was overstepping its authority. “The reconfiguration process is not a departure from the ANC constitution but is, in fact, aligned with its provisions. The decision reflects the ANC’s commitment to constitutionalism and the rule of law,” Mbalula told reporters . In practice, this meant the elected Gauteng PEC – which had been led by provincial chairperson Panyaza Lesufi and secretary TK Nciza – would cede to a Provincial Task Team appointed by the NEC.
The move was not framed as a punitive measure against the Gauteng leadership, despite the province’s electoral failure. Instead, Mbalula and ANC officials cast it as a necessary “reboot” to enhance the ANC’s organisational effectiveness” in a province crucial to its future . “It is a response to the need to ensure the ANC’s effectiveness in the country’s most populous province,” Mbalula said, describing the intervention as one that would “strengthen the ANC’s capacity” in Gauteng and deepen its connection with communities . The NEC resolved that fresh ideas and renewed energy were needed in Gauteng ahead of 2026, and that the best way to achieve that was to blend experienced veterans with current leaders in an interim structure. Notably, the ANC took similar action in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), another former stronghold where the party suffered even greater losses in 2024 – collapsing to third place in that province’s legislature amid the rise of a new party led by former President Jacob Zuma . On Tuesday (the day before the Gauteng announcement), Mbalula had unveiled a PTT in KZN, installing ANC veteran Jeff Radebe at the helm of that province’s interim leadership  . These parallel interventions underscore a broader strategy by the ANC NEC to restructure and renew key provinces that will heavily influence the party’s national performance in the next elections.
Mbalula stressed that the leadership changes were about renewal and preparation, not punishment. “This is about enhancing our organization’s capacity and ensuring we remain responsive to the people,” he said. Party officials also pointed out that under ANC rules, any interim task team is temporary – a new provincial leadership in Gauteng must be elected at a provincial conference within nine months of the PEC’s dissolution . In effect, the PTT will steer Gauteng ANC through the 2026 local elections and up to that elective conference due later in 2025, where Gauteng ANC branches can choose a new permanent leadership. By intervening now, the NEC hopes to give Gauteng ANC structures a fresh start and adequate time to regroup before facing the electorate again.
New Provincial Task Team Unveiled for Gauteng
At the Midrand briefing, Mbalula introduced the line-up of the Gauteng Provincial Task Team, tasked with running the ANC’s affairs in the province until new leadership is elected. Amos Masondo, a veteran of the movement and former Mayor of Johannesburg, has been appointed as the Provincial Convenor (chair) of the PTT  . Masondo, 68, brings decades of experience – he recently served as Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (the upper house of Parliament) and is respected across factional lines within the ANC. Sharing the top post with him is Panyaza Lesufi as Co-Convener  . Lesufi is the current Gauteng Premier and was the ANC’s Gauteng provincial chair until this restructuring. By retaining Lesufi in a leadership role, the ANC signals continuity and seeks to leverage his incumbency as Premier while pairing him with Masondo’s veteran guidance.
Several other key figures were named to the PTT’s coordinating roles, blending old and new faces:
• Ntombi Mekgwe – Appointed as Deputy Provincial Convenor. Mekgwe is the Speaker of the Gauteng provincial legislature and a senior ANC figure in the province .
• Hope Papo – Returning as Provincial Coordinator. Papo is a former ANC Gauteng Provincial Secretary and ex-Health MEC, known for his administrative acumen . He had stepped away from the limelight in recent years but now returns to bolster the team.
• Nomantu Ralehoko-Nkomo – Appointed Deputy Provincial Coordinator. Ralehoko-Nkomo is the current Gauteng MEC (Member of Executive Council) for Health and has served as an ANC Deputy Chairperson in Gauteng . Her inclusion brings gender representation and continuity from the outgoing PEC.
• Tasneem Motara – Designated as the Provincial Fundraiser. Motara is a younger leader who has served as Gauteng MEC for Economic Development. Her role will focus on resource mobilisation for the province .
This six-person core leadership team will be at the helm of the Gauteng PTT. The ANC indicated that the PTT will be broad-based, comprising as many as 30 to 40 members drawn from various party structures and allies . It will include representatives from the ANC Women’s League, Youth League, the alliance partners (the SACP and COSATU), as well as some members of the now-disbanded PEC to ensure continuity . The idea is to blend “experienced veterans and emerging political figures, ensuring both continuity and renewal” in Gauteng’s leadership . For example, the inclusion of Masondo (a veteran) alongside younger officials like Motara reflects an attempt at generational balance.
Notably, TK Nciza, who was the elected Provincial Secretary in Gauteng, has been moved to a lesser role in the new structure. According to Mail & Guardian, Nciza was effectively demoted to an additional member of the PTT, tasked with convening a policy, monitoring and evaluation unit – and he was not present when the new leadership was announced . This confirms that the previous top leadership of the PEC has been reshuffled: while Lesufi stays in a leadership capacity, Nciza and others have been sidelined or given advisory roles. Insiders say this approach of keeping former PEC members in the interim structure (albeit in reduced roles) is aimed at maintaining unity and continuity. No one is being completely cast out. “We have got everybody on board, and that is what is important,” Mbalula said of the inclusive approach, noting that those who lost formal positions would still be accommodated either within the PTT or retained on the ANC’s payroll until their original terms would have expired  . This strategy is meant to prevent disgruntlement and factional fallout from the restructuring.
Unveiling the new team, Mbalula expressed confidence that this mix of veterans and current leaders will have the clout and experience to “recover lost ground” for the party . The choice of Amos Masondo to lead was particularly highlighted. Mbalula described Masondo as a steady hand who can provide guidance and ensure continuity, while also driving change. Pairing Masondo with Lesufi aims to harness Lesufi’s current executive role and public profile – he is relatively popular for his previous stint as Gauteng Education MEC – but also buttress him with Masondo’s gravitas. Former Provincial Secretary Hope Papo’s return as coordinator is intended to strengthen internal administration and campaign machinery in the province . By combining the skills of seasoned administrators and active politicians, the ANC hopes the PTT will be greater than the sum of its parts.
The new Gauteng PTT structure mirrors what the ANC just did in KwaZulu-Natal, where the PEC was likewise “reconfigured” this week. In KZN, ANC stalwart Jeff Radebe was appointed convenor, alongside that province’s chair Siboniso Duma as co-convenor, effectively demoting some incumbent leaders but not ejecting them entirely . This parallel approach in Gauteng and KZN is a deliberate NEC strategy to inject fresh leadership and veteran oversight in provinces identified as high-risk, without completely discarding the incumbents. ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri explained that the task teams are established to “provide leadership, oversee the rebuilding of ANC structures, and ensure unity and service to the people” . In short, the PTT’s mandate is to stabilize and rebuild the ANC in Gauteng from within, ahead of the next election test.
andate and Objectives: Rebuilding Trust Before 2026
Mbalula was clear that the newly reconfigured Gauteng leadership’s primary task is to win back public confidence and prepare for the 2026 local government elections . “Preparations for the 2026 local government elections will be a key focus with the objective of recovering lost ground and ensuring the ANC remains at the centre of government,” he said . This statement underscores the stakes: the ANC wants to remain the governing party in Gauteng’s municipalities and the province, and to do so it must claw back votes from an increasingly disillusioned electorate. The PTT has roughly a year and a half to turn the tide before voters head to the polls in mid-2026.
The mandate given to Masondo, Lesufi and the team covers several critical areas:
• Rebuild ANC Structures at the Grassroots: A top priority is reviving the party’s grassroots presence. “The immediate task in Gauteng is to rebuild ANC branches, leagues, and structures so that they are actively engaged in local development and responsive to the needs of communities,” Mbalula emphasized . Many ANC branches in Gauteng have become inactive or ridden with infighting. The new leadership is expected to revive branch meetings, recruit and energize members, and ensure the ANC is visible and active in every community, from townships like Soweto and Alexandra to suburbs and informal settlements. This also involves strengthening the ANC Youth League and Women’s League in the province, which are key mobilizing vehicles.
• Address Internal Divisions and Factionalism: The ANC’s internal unity (or lack thereof) in Gauteng has often hampered its effectiveness. The PEC that was dissolved had its share of factional tensions, some dating back to battles between supporters of President Cyril Ramaphosa and his detractors. The PTT’s composition – which deliberately includes various camps and veterans seen as above factional squabbles – is meant to foster unity. “Ensure unity and service to the people” is part of the PTT’s charge, according to the ANC spokesperson . The team must mediate disputes, enforce discipline, and project a cohesive ANC to the public. As part of this, ethical leadership and discipline will be prioritized to “address corruption [and] extortions” that have plagued governance .
• Develop a Turnaround Strategy for 2026: The clock is ticking towards the next election, so the PTT is expected to formulate and execute a clear campaign strategy. This includes policy interventions at the provincial government level and in municipalities to show visible improvements in service delivery. Mbalula indicated that the leadership must integrate former leaders and veterans to provide guidance and ensure continuity, but also drive a renewal programme that resonates with citizens . Part of this strategy will likely involve rebranding the ANC in Gauteng, improving its communication and public outreach. Mbalula noted that the ANC’s branding and communication strategies would be strengthened to reaffirm its leadership role in the province . The ANC in Gauteng needs to convince voters that it has heard their grievances and is changing for the better.
• Recover “Lost Ground” from the Opposition: The ANC’s losses in Gauteng translated into gains for opposition parties, notably the Democratic Alliance (DA), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and newcomer parties. The PTT will coordinate the ANC’s efforts to win back municipalities lost in the 2021 local elections (like Johannesburg and Tshwane, which are under opposition-led coalitions) and to prevent further slippage. “Recovering lost ground” means not only stopping the bleeding of support but trying to regain a majority in key councils. Mbalula explicitly set the goal of “ensuring the ANC remains at the centre of government” , signaling that winning back control of Gauteng municipalities and maintaining the provincial government are non-negotiables for the party.
• Implement the ANC’s Renewal Agenda: As part of its 2017 and 2022 national conferences, the ANC has championed a “unity and renewal” agenda – essentially a pledge to renew the party by rooting out corruption, promoting ethical leadership, and reconnecting with communities. The Gauteng PTT is a test of that agenda in action. It must implement the recommendations from the ANC’s own analysis of why it performed poorly. This might include vetting candidates for local government carefully (to ensure clean governance), pushing visible anti-corruption measures in ANC-run councils, and addressing public concerns like crime and unemployment with greater urgency. Mbalula mentioned that the intervention in Gauteng would prioritise tackling crime and corruption, including issues like construction site extortion rings that have troubled Gauteng, to show that the ANC can govern ethically .
In essence, the PTT has to function as a war room for the 2026 campaign while simultaneously governing. Every PTT member has a dual role: fix the ANC internally, and persuade voters externally. Mbalula summed up this dual mission, saying “Our immediate task in Gauteng is to rebuild branches … so that the party remains actively engaged in local development and responsive to the needs of the people” . The inclusion of a dedicated fundraiser (Motara) also underscores that the ANC recognises the need for resources to mount an effective campaign and fulfil its promises. The next year will likely see ANC leaders fanning out across Gauteng to hold community meetings, launch service delivery projects, and showcase a renewed ANC under this interim leadership.
Governance, Corruption and Economic Challenges in Gauteng
Gauteng’s voters did not turn away from the ANC for no reason – the province has been beset by governance and socio-economic challenges that eroded public trust in the ruling party. Unresolved issues of service delivery, corruption scandals, and economic hardship have fueled voter frustration. The ANC’s new Gauteng leadership has openly acknowledged these challenges and says it aims to tackle them head-on as part of regaining legitimacy.
One of the foremost issues is service delivery failures in municipalities. Gauteng’s metros – Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni – have in recent years struggled with basic services: potholed roads, inconsistent water supply, and frequent power outages (load-shedding) due to Eskom’s energy crisis. While some of these issues are national problems, local governance has often been ineffectual. Even before losing control of Johannesburg in 2019 and again in 2021, the ANC-led city government was mired in problems like financial mismanagement and deteriorating infrastructure. Voters have become impatient with the ANC’s inability to “keep the lights on or fix the potholes,” as DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga put it . Msimanga argued that simply shuffling ANC leaders would not magically restore services or livelihoods, quipping that the ANC was “simply rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic” if it doesn’t address core governance issues . This sentiment resonates widely: the ANC will be judged on results, not just internal changes.
Corruption and ethics in government are another major concern. Gauteng has seen high-profile corruption scandals, such as investigations into COVID-19 procurement corruption and allegations of graft in infrastructure projects. Public perception in Gauteng’s urban centers is that the ANC has not done enough to police its own or to hold officials accountable, leading to cynicism. Mbalula signaled that the reconfigured leadership would take a tougher stance on corruption and crime. He stated that ethical leadership and discipline would be central, and pledged to crack down on issues like construction mafias (syndicates that extort money from building projects) and other criminal networks that undermine development . By prioritizing law and order issues, the ANC hopes to show Gauteng residents that a vote for the ANC in 2026 is a vote for a safer, more orderly province. The emphasis on veterans like Masondo – who has a relatively clean reputation – is also meant to inspire confidence that the ANC is serious about cleaning up its act.
The economy and unemployment are particularly acute in Gauteng, which attracts job-seekers from across the country but has struggled with job creation in recent years. Youth unemployment is extremely high in the townships. The ANC’s message under the PTT will likely focus on economic transformation and inclusivity – ensuring that the province’s vast wealth is shared more equitably. Gauteng is the engine of South Africa’s economy, yet inequality remains stark. The new leadership has talked about “advancing transformation” as a key goal . This includes accelerating housing delivery, supporting small businesses, and drawing investment to create jobs. In practice, Premier Lesufi’s provincial administration has already rolled out programs (for example, a provincial unemployment relief fund and township business support initiatives). The ANC will seek to align the PTT’s work with such government initiatives to demonstrate progress by the time elections arrive.
However, delivering tangible improvements in under two years will be a daunting task. As political analyst Prof. Dirk Kotzé cautioned, the ANC’s new task team must do more than exist on paper – it must solve the root problems. If it fails to improve governance and service delivery, the exercise “would be a waste of time and resources,” Kotzé warned . The ANC is acutely aware that time is short and public skepticism is high. This is why Mbalula repeatedly mentioned reconnecting with communities: the ANC needs to show humility and genuine commitment at the grassroots level. The ANC in Gauteng has launched listening campaigns in recent months, and one can expect the PTT members to be regularly on the ground addressing community grievances from now until 2026.
Another challenge is internal corruption or branch gatekeeping that weakens the ANC’s grassroots structures. Part of “rebuilding branches” means ensuring that local ward-level party elections are fair, branches aren’t captured by patronage networks, and that capable community leaders are put forward as ANC candidates. The NEC’s intervention gives the PTT extraordinary authority to reorganize or even disband dysfunctional lower structures if needed (under the supervision of the national leadership). Mbalula’s team in Luthuli House (the ANC headquarters) will be watching Gauteng closely. Indeed, Mbalula said Gauteng and KZN are “central to the ANC’s renewal and recovery strategy” given how their results hurt the party nationally . This means Gauteng’s revival is not just a provincial concern, but a national priority for the ANC.
Reactions Within the ANC: Unity and Some Unease
Within ANC ranks in Gauteng, the leadership shake-up has been met with a mixture of public optimism and private trepidation. Officially, ANC members in the province have rallied behind the NEC’s decision. Premier Panyaza Lesufi, despite effectively being “downgraded” from sole provincial chair to co-convenor under Masondo, struck a supportive tone. Lesufi said he was “pleased” that the national leadership took time for an honest post-mortem of the election results in Gauteng and KZN instead of ignoring the poor performance . “For the National Executive Committee, which is the highest decision-making body of the ANC, to take almost three days to evaluate performance… to me it’s pleasing,” Lesufi said in one radio interview . He suggested that having additional support and scrutiny from the national level would “go a long way in helping the provinces turn things around” . This positive, collaborative stance from Gauteng’s power holders indicates that – in public at least – they accept the intervention as a necessary course correction rather than a hostile takeover.
Lesufi’s enthusiasm is partially explained by the fact that he himself remains in a key role and will co-lead the revival effort. Moreover, the ANC is emphasizing that nobody is being fired outright. Mbalula commended the outgoing Gauteng and KZN leaderships for the maturity with which they handled the changes, noting there was no open defiance. He praised their “decency and decorum” in respecting the NEC’s decision . In Gauteng, most ANC cadres seem to be closing ranks around the PTT, conscious that public infighting would only further damage the party’s image ahead of elections.
However, behind closed doors, there have been murmurs of discontent and confusion about how the restructuring was carried out. In the days leading up to the announcement, the process was somewhat chaotic. The Mail & Guardian reported that “confusion reigns” in the initial phase of the rejig, with even some ANC National Working Committee (NWC) members unsure of the details . Part of the confusion stemmed from inconsistent messaging: ANC First Deputy Secretary-General Nomvula Mokonyane reportedly told ANC members in KZN that their PEC was not disbanded but merely being augmented, while Second Deputy SG Maropene Ramokgopa in Gauteng indicated a full reconfiguration and instructed the PEC to halt activities until the new team came in . These conflicting approaches left cadres in both provinces puzzled as to what “reconfiguration” really meant  .
Some ANC members privately expressed concern about the lack of transparency. “It was as if the officials driving the process were themselves confused,” an NWC source told the M&G . Initially, it wasn’t clearly communicated who was being removed or retained, leading to swirling rumors. Another insider lamented that the party’s insistence on using the term “reconfiguration” (instead of plainly saying dissolution and new appointments) could create grounds for dispute . Technically, the ANC constitution has no provision for “reconfiguring” a PEC – you either dissolve it or not – so by avoiding the term “dissolve,” some worried the process might be open to legal or procedural challenge . As one ANC member quipped off the record, “Is it a dissolution or not? We’re acting like it’s half-pregnant. It creates confusion.”
Nevertheless, by the time of Mbalula’s official announcement on 26 February, much of the uncertainty had been resolved. The names of the new PTT leadership were confirmed, and the outgoing PEC members were told of their status. No significant backlash from Gauteng ANC officials has surfaced publicly since. Part of the reason is the careful approach the ANC took to cushion the blow: those removed from formal posts, like TK Nciza, were given roles in the interim setup or assurances of continued employment . This has likely prevented open rebellion. “Those who lost formal positions will either remain in the interim structures or…continue to be employed by the ANC until their term would have originally expired,” the ANC insider explained, per the Mail & Guardian . In other words, the party sought to manage the reshuffle humanely to keep everyone on board.
Grassroots ANC members in Gauteng have had varied reactions. Some branch volunteers see the changes as a sign that the party is serious about self-correction. “It was long overdue. We have been underperforming and people are unhappy. I think bringing in stalwarts like Ntate Masondo is good – they have experience,” said one ANC branch chairperson in Soweto (speaking to a local radio station). Others are more skeptical, worried that an imposed leadership might not address local branch concerns. There are questions on the ground about how the PTT will operate: Will it consult branches regularly? How will candidate selection for 2026 be handled under an unelected interim structure? The Civil Society Forum, which monitors political reform, urged the new task team to practice internal democracy and involve the rank-and-file in renewal efforts . They warn that if grassroots members feel sidelined by top-down decisions, the renewal will lack legitimacy . Transparency in how the PTT makes decisions – for instance, criteria for adding PTT members or replacing local councillors – will be key to grassroots acceptance.
For now, the ANC in Gauteng is publicly united behind Masondo and Lesufi’s leadership. The true test of internal unity will come as the PTT begins to implement changes, especially if it has to make tough calls like firing underperforming mayors or confronting corruption allegations against ANC officials. Any pushback or factional resistance would likely be kept out of the public eye, given the high stakes. Mbalula and the NEC will be keeping a close watch to ensure discipline is maintained during this transition. As he noted, the ANC “acknowledges the discipline and unwavering commitment demonstrated by ANC structures and members during this period of transition” , essentially appealing to members to stay in line for the greater good of the movement.
Opposition Reactions: Skepticism and Critique
Unsurprisingly, opposition parties in Gauteng have seized on the ANC’s leadership shake-up as evidence of a party in crisis – while also expressing doubt that the changes will improve anything on the ground. The Democratic Alliance (DA), which is the official opposition in Gauteng’s provincial legislature and hopes to challenge the ANC’s hold on metros in 2026, gave a measured response. The DA Gauteng leadership “welcomed the ANC’s acknowledgement of its failures” but argued that the restructuring was superficial. One DA representative dryly likened the ANC’s move to “rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic,” suggesting that the party is merely shuffling personnel while the ship is still sinking . Solly Msimanga, the DA’s provincial leader, said the ANC’s decline stems from “decades of mismanagement and broken promises” which “a quick leadership fix won’t solve” . In a statement, Msimanga enumerated ongoing problems like water shortages, electricity blackouts, and potholes, arguing, “They can chop and change their internal structures all they like – it won’t magically restore water to the taps, keep the lights on, or fix the potholes in Gauteng” . The DA’s stance is essentially to cast doubt on the ANC PTT’s ability to deliver real improvements. The opposition party hinted that voters have grown cynical of the ANC’s promises of renewal, and that “too little, too late” will be the verdict in 2026 if visible changes don’t materialize .
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), which has a significant support base in Gauteng’s townships, was more scathing. EFF Gauteng chairperson Nkululeko Dunga called the ANC’s new PTT a “panic response” by a party that knows it’s in trouble . “The ANC is running scared after losing its majority, now resorting to un-elected structures,” Dunga said, referencing the fact that a task team is appointed, not elected by ANC branches . He told supporters at an EFF rally that “no task team can save the ANC from the judgment of the people. They were rejected at the ballot box – that mandate cannot be fixed by simply rotating cadres” . The EFF’s position is that the ANC’s problems are far deeper than what a temporary committee of veterans can solve, and that Gauteng voters have already signaled a desire for alternative parties. Indeed, the EFF itself aims to be a prime beneficiary if ANC support continues to wane; the party is eyeing control of metros through either outright wins or coalition power in 2026. The EFF and other smaller parties like ActionSA and the Freedom Front Plus all painted the ANC’s restructuring as a sign of a ruling party fracturing under pressure . ActionSA, led by former Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba, said the ANC’s “antics” won’t fix what years of ANC governance broke, and urged voters to rather choose new leadership in municipalities.
Some opposition figures did find a silver lining in the ANC’s choices, albeit in backhanded fashion. A few acknowledged that Amos Masondo is a “sensible” or level-headed leader, and that his presence might stabilize the ANC somewhat . “At least they brought in someone sensible like Masondo; perhaps he can keep the ship afloat until 2026 – but the reality is the ANC ship in Gauteng is leaking from all sides,” one opposition Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) commented . The notion is that Masondo, respected as he may be, faces an almost impossible task trying to reverse the ANC’s decline in such a short period.
In KwaZulu-Natal, where a similar leadership reconfiguration occurred, opposition parties made parallel critiques. The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), which overtook the ANC in several KZN municipalities in the 2021 locals and is now the province’s official opposition, dismissed the ANC’s KZN task team as “an internal matter for a party that’s lost the plot.” IFP spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa jabbed that the ANC should focus on learning to be a good opposition party in KZN rather than “inventing new titles for old faces” . Meanwhile, the newly formed MK Liberation Movement (the Zuma-aligned party that dealt the ANC a heavy blow in KZN’s 2024 vote) mocked the ANC for effectively “promoting” people like Jeff Radebe to convenor roles. In a cheeky statement, the MK party thanked the ANC for making it easier for voters to compare “the ANC’s legacy of corruption with the fresh start MK offers” . While KZN is a separate province, these reactions fed into the national narrative that the ANC is on the defensive, trying to plug leaks in provinces once considered unassailable.
Overall, the opposition’s narrative is that the ANC’s leadership reconfiguration is an admission of failure by the ruling party – and one that opposition parties intend to capitalize on. They will relentlessly remind voters that the ANC wouldn’t need “veteran saviors” if it had delivered on its mandates in the first place. As 2026 campaigning gears up, one can expect opposition parties to highlight every continued service delivery flaw as evidence that the ANC’s internal changes haven’t translated into improvements for citizens. The ANC’s challenge will be to prove the skeptics wrong by showing concrete progress under the PTT’s guidance.
Analysts Weigh In: Will the Restructuring Work?
Political analysts and experts have offered a more nuanced take on the ANC’s Gauteng shake-up, generally agreeing that the ANC had little choice but to do something dramatic after the 2024 shock, but debating whether this particular intervention will deliver the desired results.
Many analysts concur that the ANC’s decline in Gauteng (and similarly in KZN) called for bold action. “It’s unprecedented for the ANC to be polling in the 30s in Gauteng and the teens in KZN – these are heartlands,” noted political commentator Ralph Mathekga in a television interview . “So from a strategic point of view, the ANC is right to be alarmed and to intervene decisively.” The ANC’s choice to inject veteran leaders and nationally supervised task teams is seen as an acknowledgment that provincial structures alone were not coping with the challenges. Mathekga and others, however, stress that the key question is whether the PTT approach addresses root causes or just symptoms .
Skeptics argue that simply parachuting in older leaders or mixing up the hierarchy might not win back voters. Prof. Dirk Kotzé of UNISA, for example, has doubts that changing leadership solves the deep issues. The ANC’s urban voter base has been alienated by persistent problems: corruption, load-shedding, unemployment, inequality, and a sense that ANC leaders are out of touch with ordinary people . “Bringing back old faces like Jeff Radebe or Amos Masondo might stabilize internal factions, sure,” Mathekga observed, “But will that bring back the voter who’s fed up with poor service delivery? Unlikely, unless those leaders can drastically change how the ANC governs and engages communities” . In other words, the ANC can reshuffle cadres all it wants, but without visible improvements in governance and a genuine reconnection with the electorate, the electoral trajectory may not change. Kotzé pointed out that the ANC has tried similar tactics before – installing interim teams or deploying veterans to troubled provinces – with mixed success. Ultimately, the outcomes will hinge on performance: can the PTT reduce corruption, improve service delivery, and unify the party in time?
On the other hand, some observers see potential upside in the ANC’s move. Lukhona Mnguni, a political analyst speaking on SAFM radio, argued that involving veterans could indeed help mentor and guide the younger generation of provincial leaders . “There’s a reason the ANC won elections for 25 years straight – they had capable organisers and strategists. Some of those people are being brought back,” Mnguni noted . In his view, if the ANC leverages the next year or two wisely, these experienced figures can groom new leaders and reconnect with voters, possibly stabilizing the party’s support. Mnguni also remarked that the inclusion of sitting power-holders like Lesufi (and in KZN, Siboniso Duma) in the interim teams is a sign the ANC is aiming for generational mix and unity rather than sidelining one group completely . This could prevent a backlash and keep the ANC relatively intact going into the elections, avoiding the formation of splinter groups by aggrieved ex-leaders (something the ANC has suffered in the past).
Analysts further highlight that the success of the Gauteng PTT will depend on its ability to engage the public and rank-and-file ANC members openly. The ANC’s internal democracy has often been questioned, and some worry that an appointed task team might ride roughshod over local voices. Civil society groups have called for transparency: the PTT should clarify its plans, involve local ANC branches in decision-making, and communicate progress or setbacks candidly . If the process is seen as just top-down, it could breed resentment at the grassroots or apathy among volunteers, which would hurt the ANC’s campaign machinery. On the flip side, if the PTT consults widely and brings enthusiastic activists into its fold, it might reinvigorate the ANC’s base in Gauteng.
There is also the factor of public perception and media narrative. Political communication specialist Karima Brown (prior to her passing, noted as an example) often said that what the ANC does to renew itself must be seen by the public to be believed. In that sense, some analysts commend the ANC for making a bold public statement by reconfiguring leadership – it shows voters that the party is not deaf to the message of the ballot box. Mbalula’s press briefing was carried live on news channels, underlining that the ANC wants everyone to know it is taking action. The next step is following through. “The ANC has signaled it’s cleaning house. Now they have to deliver results to prove it,” as one columnist wrote. The metrics of success for the PTT will include: do service delivery indicators improve in Gauteng municipalities? Does the ANC contain its internal squabbles? Do opinion polls in late 2025 or early 2026 show the ANC regaining some lost support in Gauteng? If these things happen, the intervention can be deemed a success; if not, the ANC could be looking at losing even more ground, perhaps even being relegated to opposition in Gauteng after 2026.
Independent political analyst Ralph Mathekga summed up the stakes: “From a risk perspective, the ANC had to try something new in Gauteng. If they did nothing, decline was almost certain. With this task team, they at least create a fighting chance. But it’s no guarantee – the ANC is effectively racing against time to fix a decade’s worth of issues before the next election”  . As of now, Gauteng’s fate in 2026 is up in the air, and the ANC’s bold experiment with its leadership will be under the spotlight.
Outlook: High Stakes for 2026 Local Elections and Beyond
The reconfiguration of the ANC’s Gauteng leadership is an extraordinary intervention reflective of extraordinary times for the ruling party. As Gauteng heads toward the 2026 local government elections, the ANC’s ability to retain power in key municipalities – and to project momentum going into the 2029 general election – may well hinge on the success of this gambit. The newly minted Provincial Task Team under Amos Masondo and Panyaza Lesufi has a mammoth task, or as Mbalula described, a “mammoth task” ahead (a phrase he also used for KZN’s situation) .
If the PTT manages to stabilize the ANC in Gauteng, rebuild public trust, and show improvements in governance, it could revive the ANC’s electoral prospects in the province. Success in the 2026 local elections would mean the ANC holding or regaining majority control of municipalities like Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, and others. Even short of outright majorities, a stronger showing could allow the ANC to lead coalition governments rather than sit in opposition. That, in turn, would boost the party’s confidence and narrative heading into the 2029 national elections (when Gauteng will again be a principal battleground for who governs South Africa). A revitalised Gauteng ANC could also serve as a template for the party’s renewal efforts in other provinces.
On the flip side, if the restructuring fails to impress voters, the ANC risks further losses in 2026. In the worst-case scenario for the party, the DA and EFF (perhaps along with smaller parties like ActionSA, IFP, FF+) could form multi-party coalitions to take over most of Gauteng’s municipalities. Already in 2021, the ANC lost the mayoralties of Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni (though some of those coalitions later wobbled). A repeat or expansion of that outcome in 2026 would see the ANC relegated to opposition benches in the richest province in the country – a psychological and strategic blow ahead of 2029. Gauteng, being the seat of the Union Buildings (the presidency) in Pretoria and the economic dynamo, is a prize no party can afford to lose. For the ANC, losing Gauteng’s municipalities on top of a reduced showing in the province in 2024 would fuel the narrative of a party in irreversible decline.
The ANC’s national leadership appears to be fully invested in ensuring Gauteng does not slip away. Mbalula and even President Cyril Ramaphosa are expected to frequently campaign in Gauteng over the next year. We may see the ANC’s 2024 election review outcomes implemented aggressively here – such as selecting new, untainted candidates for mayoral positions, improving the candidate vetting process, and holding communities imbizos (meetings) to hear directly from residents about their needs. The ANC’s pledge to renew will be tested by how it governs Gauteng in the interim. There is speculation that Premier Lesufi’s provincial government might undertake visible projects (for example, accelerating the roll-out of a promised Gauteng service delivery “war room” to fix local problems, or launching job creation hubs) to show momentum before 2026.
In terms of historical importance, Gauteng has often been the trendsetter. It was one of the first provinces where the ANC’s dominance began to be seriously challenged in urban areas, and now it could be the province that either marks the start of an ANC comeback or a further unraveling. Some commentators compare this moment to the early 1990s when the ANC was building structures in the province ahead of the first elections – now, three decades later, it’s almost as if the ANC is rebuilding from scratch in some areas to win hearts and minds again. The party’s ability to adapt may determine its survival as the majority party.
As the 2026 local government elections approach, all eyes will be on Gauteng’s ANC and its reconfigured leadership. Will Amos Masondo’s steady leadership and Panyaza Lesufi’s local popularity be enough to steer the ANC ship to safer waters? Can the task team root out malfeasance and improve service delivery quickly to give voters reason to stick with the ANC? Or will opposition parties demonstrate that the ANC is merely repackaging old goods, not truly reforming? The answers to these questions will shape not just the future of Gauteng, but potentially the course of South African politics in the latter half of the decade.
One thing is clear: the ANC is treating Gauteng as “ground zero” for its renewal mission, and the steps it’s taking now are a gamble to secure its political future. As Mbalula said, the party is determined to “recover lost ground” and remain at the center of government in Gauteng . The coming months will reveal whether this bold reconfiguration was the masterstroke the ANC needed or simply an last-ditch effort that came too late. For the people of Gauteng, who ultimately care more about results than political maneuvers, 2026 will be judgment day on whether the ANC’s house-cleaning delivered anything tangible. The ANC’s reconfigured Gauteng leadership has been given both an opportunity and a responsibility – to prove that the party can still renew itself from within and deliver on its promises to South Africa’s most crucial province.
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