Provincial Task Team
By Mpho Moloi
The African National Congress (ANC) has announced the establishment of a Provincial Task Team (PTT) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) to ensure unity, discipline, and organisational renewal within the province’s structures. This decisive move, outlined in a press release issued by the ANC’s Department of Communications, Information and Publicity, comes amid a reconfiguration of leadership in KZN, a key province critical to South Africa’s political and economic trajectory. The NEC’s intervention, detailed on 25 February 2025, aims to strengthen the ANC’s presence, address recent electoral setbacks, and prepare the movement for future challenges under the banner of “The Year of Renewal.”
Why This Matters for South Africa
KwaZulu-Natal is not just a political powerhouse but also an economic hub, home to the country’s largest population and significant industrial and agricultural activity. The province’s role in national transformation cannot be overstated, especially after the ANC’s disappointing performance in the 2024 national and provincial elections, where it lost ground to opposition parties like the Democratic Alliance (DA), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), and uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, led by former president Jacob Zuma. Recent reports from News24 (February 2025) indicate that the ANC’s vote share in KZN dropped to around 17%, a stark decline attributed to factionalism, leadership disputes, and public dissatisfaction with service delivery.
The establishment of the PTT is a strategic response to these challenges, aiming to stabilise the ANC’s structures, renew its grassroots mobilisation, and rebuild trust among its members and supporters. According to SABC News, ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula emphasised during a press briefing on 20 February 2025 that “KZN remains a battleground for the ANC’s soul,” underscoring the urgency of this intervention. The move aligns with the ANC’s constitutional mandate under Rule 12.1.1, which empowers the National Executive Committee (NEC) to ensure the “democratic and effective functioning” of all provincial structures.
The Press Release: Key Details
The ANC’s statement, released on 25 February 2025, commends KZN members for their “discipline and unwavering commitment” while awaiting NEC resolutions. It highlights the province’s historical legacy, naming iconic leaders like John Langalibalele Dube, Chief Albert Luthuli, Pixley Isaka Ka Seme, Moses Mabhida, and others who shaped the struggle for liberation and transformation. The document stresses that the current cadres in KZN are continuing this legacy, demonstrating resilience amid challenges.
The NEC, during its meeting on 18-19 January 2025, reaffirmed KZN and Gauteng’s strategic importance in the “national transformation agenda.” Both provinces, with their large populations and economic significance, are seen as pivotal to South Africa’s development. The NEC’s decision to intervene in KZN follows a comprehensive report from the National Working Committee (NWC), presented by Secretary General Fikile Mbalula, detailing the province’s organisational challenges, including factionalism and declining voter support.
The PTT, comprising 66 members, is tasked with overseeing stabilisation, driving political education, and revitalising ANC branches across KZN. Key figures include Jeff Radebe as Provincial Convenor, Weziwe Thusi as 1st Deputy Provincial Convenor, and Sboniso Duma as 2nd Deputy Provincial Convenor, with Mike Mabuyakhulu serving as Provincial Coordinator and Nomusa Dube-Ncube as Deputy Coordinator. Other roles include Nomagugu Simelane as Provincial Fundraiser and various convenors for sub-committees like Organising & Campaigns, Political Education, and Local Government Interventions.
The press release also notes the ANC’s intent to revive relations with Amakhosi (traditional leaders), faith-based communities, and Amabandla, recognising their historical role in the ANC’s evolution. This outreach is part of a broader strategy to foster “unity, social cohesion, and transformation” in KZN, as reported by The Citizen on 22 February 2025.
Recent Developments and Context
According to Mail & Guardian (23 February 2025), the ANC’s decline in KZN has been exacerbated by internal power struggles, particularly between factions loyal to President Cyril Ramaphosa and those aligned with Jacob Zuma’s MK Party. The MK Party, which emerged as a significant force in the 2024 elections, has consolidated support in KZN, winning over 45% of the vote in the province, as per News24 data. This has left the ANC scrambling to reclaim its position as the dominant political force in the region.
Furthermore, SABC News reported on 21 February 2025 that the ANC faced criticism from KZN communities over issues like unemployment, water shortages, and electricity outages, which have fuelled disillusionment. The PTT’s mandate to address these concerns through grassroots mobilisation and political education is seen as a critical step toward regaining public trust.
The ANC’s “Year of Renewal,” as highlighted in the press release, is a national campaign to make the party a “more effective instrument of the People” to achieve the vision of the Freedom Charter, which declares, “The People Shall Govern! The People Shall Share In The Country’s Wealth!” This theme resonates with South Africans’ aspirations for economic inclusion and political accountability, especially in KZN, where inequality remains stark.
The Role of the Provincial Task Team
The PTT’s establishment is not merely an administrative reshuffle but a strategic intervention to address deep-seated challenges within the ANC’s KZN structures. According to the document, the team is mandated to:
• Stabilise the organisation and ensure effective functioning of provincial structures.
• Drive political education to strengthen members’ commitment to ANC principles.
• Revitalise branches across KZN, particularly in rural and urban areas where support has waned.
• Foster unity by integrating experienced leadership with new cadres committed to “organisational discipline” and grassroots mobilisation.
• Rebuild relationships with traditional and faith-based leaders to enhance social cohesion.The PTT’s composition reflects a balance of gender and experience, with 31 female and 35 male members, including prominent figures like Jeff Radebe, a former minister, and Weziwe Thusi, a seasoned ANC leader. Their deployment to regions like eThekwini, Moses Mabhida, Harry Gwala, and others, as well as sub-committees such as Education & Health, Policy Monitoring, and Elections, ensures a comprehensive approach to rebuilding the ANC’s influence.
News24 (24 February 2025) noted that the PTT’s inauguration, scheduled for late February 2025, will be a high-profile event attended by ANC national leaders, including President Cyril Ramaphosa and Deputy President Paul Mashatile. This event is expected to signal a renewed commitment to KZN’s political stability and the ANC’s dominance.
Challenges Facing the ANC in KZN
The ANC’s intervention in KZN comes at a critical juncture. The 2024 elections exposed deep fractures within the party, with factionalism and leadership disputes undermining its cohesion. The Citizen (22 February 2025) reported that some ANC members in KZN have defected to the MK Party, citing dissatisfaction with Ramaphosa’s leadership and the ANC’s failure to deliver on promises of jobs and service delivery.
KZN’s political landscape is further complicated by the resurgence of the IFP and the rise of the MK Party, which has drawn significant support from rural communities and Zuma loyalists. Recent SABC News analyses (February 2025) suggest that the ANC’s vote share in KZN has halved since 2019, dropping from 54% to 17%, while the MK Party secured a commanding lead.
Economic challenges, including high unemployment (estimated at 32% in KZN, per Statistics South Africa, 2025), water scarcity in rural areas, and frequent power cuts, have also eroded public confidence in the ANC. The PTT’s focus on political education and grassroots mobilisation aims to address these issues, but analysts warn that tangible improvements in service delivery will be crucial to regaining support.
The ANC’s Vision for Renewal
The “Year of Renewal” is a central theme of the ANC’s strategy, as outlined in the press release. The party seeks to align its efforts with the Freedom Charter’s principles, emphasizing governance by the people and equitable wealth distribution. This vision is particularly relevant in KZN, where income inequality and poverty remain pervasive, especially in rural areas like Harry Gwala and General Giguenga Mpanza regions.
The Mail & Guardian (23 February 2025) reported that the ANC’s renewal campaign includes plans to launch community engagement programs, improve accountability mechanisms, and strengthen party discipline. The PTT’s role in KZN is seen as a pilot for these initiatives, with potential implications for other provinces facing similar challenges, such as Gauteng.
The ANC’s leadership, including President Cyril Ramaphosa and Secretary General Fikile Mbalula, have reiterated their commitment to “reclaim our ground and emerge victorious in the battles ahead,” as stated in the press release. This rhetoric is intended to inspire members and supporters while addressing critics who question the party’s ability to rebound from its 2024 electoral losses.
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