By JN Reporter
The succession battle within the African National Congress (ANC) in the Free State is heating up, with early formations of alliances and factions swiftly emerging as ambitious officials jostle for leadership positions.
Despite denials from the ANC leadership in the province, who claim that it is still too early to entertain succession battles at this point in time, Journal News has been reliably informed of developments surrounding the formation of factions who intend to wrestle for power and control of Kaizer Sebothelo House - the ANC’s provincial headquarters in the Free State - when the organisation goes to its elective conference in 2027.
It has further been revealed that former Provincial Secretary and current ANC Head of Presidency, Sibongile Besani, is eyeing the provincial top spot and has been lobbying branches to support him instead of the current Chairperson, Mxolisi Dukwana, who has secretly thrown his name in the hat ahead of the official launch of the campaign.
Besani is said to be playing a unifier role between the Kaizer Sebothelo faction and the other faction now known as the ‘O.R Tambo’ faction, led by current Free State Premier, Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae.
The O.R Tambo clique, aptly named after the provincial government headquarters and thus in control of the government in the province, is expected to battle with the Kaizer Sebothelo House faction, which is named after the party’s provincial head office and led by Dukwana and Provincial Secretary Polediso Motsoeneng.
Besani was at the forefront of the Regime Change group that challenged Ace Magashule’s reign in the province in 2012, teaming up with Dukwana and current Mangaung Executive Mayor Gregory Nthatisi, who was serving as MK Veterans’ Association provincial chairperson at the time.
However, according to a source close to the matter, branches are questioning his reliability following his ‘no-show’ ahead of the 2012 conference, which is largely seen as betrayal by party members.
It is alleged that the then-trusted and supported chairmanship contender (Besani) failed to withdraw from the race at the last minute, leaving Nthatisi on the battlefield to face erstwhile ANC Free State chairperson, Ace Magashule.
“Many questions are being raised about Comrade Besani and branches are not happy that his name is being thrown at them and lobbied to support him,” a trusted source placed inside the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) tells Journal News.
He added that the current Treasurer-General of the ANC Women’s League, Letsoha-Mathae, on the other hand, has been receiving more support for the chairmanship office due to her vast popularity across the province and branches of the liberation movement.
Letsoha-Mathe is believed to be enjoying support from the party’s biggest region of Thabo Mofutsanyana, the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) and ANC Women’s League (ANCWL), amongst others. They collectively praise her for her decisiveness and willingness to change the lives of the people.
Moreover, the ANCWL believes that she stands a good chance of becoming the first ever woman chairperson in the Free State.
Letsoha-Mathae rose to prominence in the provincial politics after her successful move to dethrone Dukwana from the premier position, less than a year after his ascent to the top office.
This, according to those sympathetic to Dukwana, was a result of latter’s indecisiveness and lack of leadership skills, including his refusal to uplift people who promoted him.
Other contenders for the chairmanship include Deputy Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Seiso Mohai and MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport Jabu Mbalula.
Following his previous ambitions and contestation to lead the province, Nthatisi’s name has resurfaced in the corridors, although with no certainty on whether he will stand again at the upcoming elective conference or not.
Another source added that Besani and Mbalula are seen as dark horses in the race while Mohai, on the other hand, is perceived to be a noteworthy contender.
“Besani has seen the opportunity and is taking advantage of the weaknesses of the incumbent (Dukwana). However, despite his aspirations to become the provincial chairman, Comrade Mohai has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and is perceived as being in the right race (sic),” said a source.
The Letsoha-Mathae faction – on the other side - has recently thrown its weight behind the Secretary-General’s ambition to succeed President Cyril Ramaphosa as the party president in December 2027.
This comes after Letsoha-Mathae was spotted singing slogans alongside the Thabo Mofutsanyana regional leadership, backing Mbalula for ANC presidency during a celebratory event in honour of Mokete Andrew Mlangeni, a Rivonia Trialist and lifelong ANC freedom fighter
Speaking to Journal News this week, ANC Provincial Spokesperson Thabo Meeko dismissed as “nothing but rumours” assertions that comrades have started campaigning for leadership positions.
“Those things are nothing but rumours from people who have nothing to do and want to derail our focus. The ANC is focusing on ensuring a decisive victory in the upcoming Local Government Elections and has not opened campaigns for leadership positions yet,” said Meeko.
