{
  "id": 9284897,
  "title": "Fractious factions: ANC’s local election troubles could shape next leadership race",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/fractious-factions-ancs-local-election-troubles-could-shape-next",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-23T06:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/news/opinion/ancs-local-election-troubles-could-shape-next-leadership-race/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The African National Congress (ANC) is facing significant challenges ahead of the local government elections, which could have far-reaching implications for the party's future leadership. The crisis extends beyond mere administrative errors or the omission of certain candidates. Instead, the main concern lies in the ANC's inability to meet the Electoral Commission of South Africa's requirements, indicating a lack of willingness to make difficult political decisions necessary for governance. The upcoming elections are being seen as a crucial test of political authority, and unfortunately, the ANC is currently failing to meet these expectations.\n\nThe party's defeat in the Electoral Court has left it unable to field candidates in key towns and metros, amplifying the uncertainty surrounding mayoral candidates. The situation is further complicated by the absence of a clear consensus on mayoral candidates, with names circulating and ambitions clashing amidst internal disagreements. While such factional politics might appear ordinary in the realm of politics, it points to a more significant underlying issue. Are these local elections offering South Africans a glimpse of the internal struggles that could dominate the ANC's elective conference in the coming year? The leadership battle that follows the presidency's end will determine who will succeed Cyril Ramaphosa, with ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula being among the names under scrutiny for his confrontational style and legal battles.\n\nMbalula's qualities of experience and willingness to confront others may excite some within the party, but they could also become his greatest weaknesses. His legal dispute with ANC veteran Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma over allegations of vote-buying at ANC conferences adds another layer to the political drama. The controversy surrounding Mbalula's name suggests that when things go wrong under his watch, he is unwilling to accept responsibility, fix the issues, and move on. Instead, he is fighting everyone who points out the failure, which may be appealing to some but could be detrimental to the party's overall unity.\n\nThe current controversy surrounding Mbalula is a reflection of a broader issue within the ANC. Its leadership contests have increasingly become battles where victory holds more importance than unity. This trend raises concerns about the party's leadership dynamics, as it highlights the potential for factionalism to overshadow the overall goal of party unity. The ANC's political history has shown that controversy has not always been a deterrent to its electoral success. For instance, Deputy President Paul Mashatile's tenure as treasurer-general was marred by crises, including unpaid staff for months, yet it did not hinder his rise within the party. This inconsistency in behavior raises questions about the party's standards and the wisdom of its repeated claim that the party \"belongs to God.\"\n\nUltimately, the ANC's struggles to agree on mayoral candidates and councillors serve as a cautionary tale for the coming leadership battle. Missing the deadline to submit candidate lists and being unable to reach a consensus on mayoral candidates should not be dismissed as mere internal squabbles. Instead, they should be treated as a warning sign. The upcoming leadership contest will ultimately test whether the ANC can still choose its leaders on its own terms or if its fractured factions will seize control, imposing a choice that reflects division rather than unity. The outcome of this leadership battle will be critical in determining the ANC's ability to navigate the road ahead successfully.",
  "summary": "Fikile Mabula's confrontational style may excite some within the ANC, but the party's presidency requires something different.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}