ANC KZN Leadership
By Nkosana Khumalo
In a bold and determined address at a media briefing today, Jeff Radebe, the newly appointed Provincial Convener of the African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), declared that there is “no space for corruption” under the province’s new leadership. Speaking to journalists and party members in Durban, Radebe outlined a comprehensive plan to tackle internal challenges like factionalism and corruption, restore public trust, and rebuild the ANC’s standing in KZN ahead of the 2026 local government elections. With the party facing what he called an “existential threat” after a dismal performance in the 2024 elections, Radebe’s message was clear: the ANC in KZN is ready to turn the tide.
A Fresh Start for ANC KZN
The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has been under intense scrutiny following its dramatic drop from 54% of the vote in previous elections to just 17.7% in 2024. This steep decline saw the party lose its governing position in the province, slipping to third place behind rivals. Acknowledging this crisis, Radebe, flanked by Deputy Coordinator Mike Mabuyakhulu and other task team members, admitted that the ANC’s “arrogance” had cost it dearly. “The arrogance of the ANC has cost us votes,” he said, reflecting on the party’s disconnect from its traditional base.
Radebe’s appointment as convener comes after the National Executive Committee (NEC) intervened to stabilise the province. Leading a 66-member provincial task team, he promised a “ground zero” approach to rebuilding the ANC brick by brick. “We come with a fresh perspective,” Radebe said, vowing to correct past mistakes and restore the party’s credibility.
‘No Space for Corruption’ – A Zero-Tolerance Stance
At the heart of Radebe’s address was a firm commitment to rooting out corruption within the ANC’s KZN structures. “We have made it very clear to all the 66 of us that this leadership has ‘no space for corruption at all’,” he declared. He emphasised that the new leadership would not tolerate anyone using their position for personal gain, regardless of their status. “We will never allow anyone in the leadership in KwaZulu-Natal to use their positions to gain advantage by corrupt means,” he added.
This stance aligns with the ANC’s broader renewal project, a initiative championed by Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula. During his address to the task team in Durban the previous week, Mbalula reaffirmed the party’s constitutional principles and urged leaders to lead by example. Radebe echoed this sentiment, stating, “We have recommitted ourselves to the founding principles of renewal to rebuild all our structures.”
To enforce accountability, Radebe announced that the task team would closely monitor ANC cadres deployed in the provincial Government of Unity and municipalities. “There are no holy cows here,” he warned, promising swift action against those who fail to deliver services effectively. This includes overseeing critical portfolios like education, health, and transport—sectors Radebe identified as central to improving the lives of ordinary South Africans.
Rebuilding Trust with Communities
A key focus of Radebe’s strategy is reconnecting with the people of KwaZulu-Natal, many of whom have lost faith in the ANC. Responding to a question from a journalist about restoring trust in communities disillusioned by party leaders, Radebe acknowledged the challenge. “We have to be honest with the people of KwaZulu-Natal that we face an existential threat which requires all of us to take drastic measures to turn things around,” he said.
The task team plans to mobilise the ANC’s traditional base, including white, coloured, and Indian communities, as well as alliance partners like the South African Communist Party (SACP), Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), and South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO). “We will redouble our efforts to mobilise our traditional base,” Radebe noted, adding that Coordinator Mike Mabuyakhulu would meet with alliance partners within the next two weeks to strengthen collaboration.
Radebe also unveiled plans for a grassroots campaign called “I See a Campaign,” designed to reconnect the ANC with its core constituency. “This campaign is our grassroots engine which seeks to reconnect the ANC with our core constituency,” he explained. The initiative will prioritise political education to build consciousness among leaders, members, and supporters, ensuring the party remains a “strategic centre for all progressive forces” in society.
Tackling Service Delivery and Municipal Challenges
Service delivery failures have been a major source of frustration for KZN residents, and Radebe did not shy away from addressing this issue. He revealed alarming statistics from the National Treasury: 40 out of 54 municipalities in KZN face serious financial problems, with eight leading municipalities failing to spend R7.5 billion of their adjusted budgets in the 2023/2024 financial year. An additional R2.6 billion earmarked for capital works remains unspent, depriving communities of essential services.
“This will come to an end in our leadership here,” Radebe vowed. “We shall leave no stone unturned.” He promised to hold municipal leaders accountable and replace those who cannot perform with qualified individuals. The task team will also assess the functionality of all municipalities, convene a summit to address challenges, and intervene where necessary—whether the ANC governs or serves in opposition.
One recent success highlighted by Radebe was the resolution of a strike in the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, which had persisted since November 2024. Within 24 hours of the task team’s intervention, an amicable solution was reached. “This is the spirit that the ANC leadership would want to permeate when we say we’re focusing on the issues of our people,” he said.
Immediate Interventions and Membership Overhaul
Radebe outlined several immediate steps to strengthen the ANC in KZN. Within the next week, the task team will receive an in-depth organisational report to objectively analyse the party’s state and avoid duplicating efforts. “This will enable us as this current leadership to get an objective analysis of where we are as an organisation,” he said.
A major priority is overhauling the ANC’s membership system. “We are giving ourselves sufficient time to go through the question of membership,” Radebe explained. This includes auditing and verifying the membership base to ensure credibility in all party processes. Officials will attend a membership training workshop this week, followed by provincial sessions to implement a detailed programme of action.
Transparency is also key. “We will brief the media once we have recorded progress on this very critical matter because we want to be very transparent to the people of KwaZulu-Natal,” Radebe assured.
The Renewal Charter: A Pledge to the People
A standout announcement from the briefing was the introduction of a “renewal charter.” Radebe described it as a “solemn pledge” that all task team members must sign, committing to work solely for the movement and its people—not themselves. “This charter adds a layer of dedication,” he said. “It is a physical expression and a firm commitment to rebuilding our movement.”
While specifics about the charter remain unclear, it signals the ANC’s intent to formalise its renewal efforts and hold leaders accountable. This move has drawn attention from analysts, with some viewing it as a symbolic gesture to rebuild public confidence.
Addressing Local Crises: Ithala Bank and Ingonyama Trust
Radebe also touched on two pressing issues affecting KZN residents: the collapse of Ithala Bank and the controversy surrounding the Ingonyama Trust.
On Ithala Bank, Radebe expressed sympathy for ordinary depositors who have lost access to their savings. He shared the story of a former policeman who deposited R700,000 into Ithala Bank three years ago, only to be told in January 2025 that he could not withdraw his funds. “Our heart goes out to our people,” Radebe said, pledging to engage with the Minister of Finance and the Reserve Bank Governor to find solutions. “Let’s think about those depositors, those Ndlovus of this world, those Makhos who put their life savings in Ithala Bank,” he urged.
Regarding the Ingonyama Trust, Radebe noted that the matter falls under the Minister of Land Reform’s jurisdiction but affirmed the ANC’s interest in its resolution. “We are also very worried about the issues around Ingonyama,” he said, promising to raise concerns through appropriate channels rather than public platforms.
Preparing for 2026 and Beyond
With the 2026 local government elections on the horizon, Radebe stressed the urgency of the task team’s three main mandates: rebuild and renew the ANC, reconnect with communities, and ensure effective service delivery. “We are going to be preparing for the 2026 local government elections right away,” he said.
Engagements with traditional leaders, religious communities, and other stakeholders will be ramped up to ensure inclusivity. “The effort to renew, the mission to rebuild has started, and we shall not look back,” Radebe declared, invoking the legacies of ANC icons like Luthuli, Tambo, and Mandela.
A People-Centred Approach
Deputy Coordinator Mike Mabuyakhulu reinforced Radebe’s message, emphasising a “people-centred and people-driven” approach. “We are committing ourselves that in everything we do, we’re going to put our people first,” he said. He highlighted the importance of unity and accountability within the leadership, promising regular progress reports to the public.
“We’re going to restore faith through our actions,” Mabuyakhulu added, addressing scepticism about the ANC’s ability to deliver on its promises. “We have a programme of action that we adopted on Monday, and we’re satisfied that the work we have decided to do will be able to restore us back into the hearts and minds of our people.”
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