The ANC in the Free State has postponed two key regional conferences, citing outstanding organisational processes and unresolved internal disputes that officials say must be addressed before delegates can convene.
The delays affecting the Mangaung and Lejweleputswa regional conferences are expected to impact preparations for upcoming elective processes and have heightened uncertainty within the party’s provincial structures.
According to sources within the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC), the two regional elective conferences were initially scheduled for next month ahead of the party’s National General Council (NGC). However, the plans have been halted due to challenges at branch level.
They claim the PEC – in its meeting a week ago – resolved to postpone both conferences after several branches failed to convene successful Branch General Meetings (BGMs), many of which were marred by factional tensions.
“Some branches in both regions are struggling to convene due to leadership squabbles stemming from interference and ambitions. Comrades are gatekeeping BGMs, pushing them toward possible disqualification because they are not aligned to certain individuals in the leadership,” said a source who asked to remain anonymous as they are not mandated to speak to the media.
Journal News has learned that both current regional chairpersons – Lawrence Mathae in Mangaung and Xolile Toki in Lejweleputswa – are seeking second terms.
Without confirming new dates, provincial spokesperson Thabo Meeko told Journal News that the ANC would announce updates at the appropriate time and communicate formally through the media.
He said the PEC had adopted timelines for regional conferences and that reports on their implementation are being monitored by the Provincial Secretary’s Office (PSO).
“These timelines coincide with preparations for the NGC, and with the broader organisational programme aimed at deepening unity and renewal, whose cornerstone is raising the bar on political consciousness,” Meeko said.
He added that regional conferences must be convened in line with the ANC constitution and with the organisation’s renewal agenda in mind.
“This period imposes the need to invoke the progressive values of the ANC as a party of the revolution – reconnection with the people, ethical leadership, corruption-free governance and organisational discipline, among others. The PEC insists that these conferences must unify the movement and deepen renewal, without thwarting democratic processes, as we prepare for elections and the battle for the hegemony of the progressive agenda on all fronts,” Meeko said.
On Tuesday, Secretary General Fikile Mbalula, when briefing the media on the outcomes of the NEC meeting, said that all due conferences must be concluded by March 2026.
“This decision is a strategic imperative to ensure that the ANC enters the 2026 Local Government Elections with constitutionally mandated leadership structures. This timeline is central to the renewal agenda, allowing the movement to shift its full organisational strength towards building a disciplined and election-ready machine,” said Mbalula.
As the ANC navigates internal tensions and prepares for its National General Council, the postponement of the two regional conferences underscores the depth of organisational challenges facing the party in the Free State. Whether the delays will foster unity and renewal – as the party insists – or further entrench factional battles remains to be seen.
