By: Refilwe Mochoari

A silent storm is brewing as the African National Congress is set to hold its national elective conference in less than two years (2027). Without any formal declaration by those eyeing to replace President Cyril Ramaphosa as the party’s president, a campaign for the top position is unlocked and faction wars within the organisation have erupted. In this conference, someone will be elected to succeed Ramaphosa. From fiery rebukes in the Eastern Cape to melodic chants in the Free State, the party’s Secretary General Fikile Mbalula’s silent spring to the top post has sparked controversy with some members accusing him of leveraging meetings and abusing his position to gain popularity for the presidential race. A metaphor - “A yene Pula ya Mbalula” A controversial moment broke in the Eastern Free State last week (21 June) during a memorial lecture of Rivonia Trialist and ANC activist Andrew Mlangeni when some members of the ANC in the province ordained Mbalula as a potential candidate in the presidential race through a song called “A yene Pula ya Mbalula”, which simply means “May Mbalula’s territory increase”. Members who were seen endorsing Mbalula through song and hand actions amongst others include Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae and the ANC Women’s League Provincial Chairperson Connie Msibi who is also the Mayor of Thabo Mofutsanyana District municipality. What was meant to be an honorary event to commemorate the life of Mlangeni, who dedicated his life to the struggle for freedom, justice and dignity for all South Africans suddenly evolved into a subtle and strategic move which revealed the SG’s ambitions to become the next ANC President. A Hardcore Factionalist This move has sparked a public outcry on social media platforms with one ANC PR councillor from the Thabo Mofutsanyana region, Setshwana Chabeli, ridiculing Mbalula and calling him disorderly and “A Hardcore Factionalist”. Chabeli wrote a letter to Mbalula on her social media pages. Dear SG, You are a hardcore unrehabilitated factionalist with presidential ambitions but your verbal diarrhea is appalling to say the least. We are aware of what you want to do with the ‘Vrystaat’, but my cadre you will find us on the ground, we will take you toe to toe…..In case you forgot, even if we have no struggle credentials but we do have a history of relentless fights for your likes. “AMANDLA!” You are highly divisive. If I can be charged, I am more than ready, it will be lovely to engage you on such a platform. I have a few questions for you, Sir. “You are an enabler of factionalism” Factionalism in the ANC Free State The ANC in the Free State has been plagued by internal factionalism, and according to sources within the organisation, Chabeli’s stance stems from a broader political cleavage. Sources in the party say she is a staunch supporter of the provincial chairperson Mxolisi Dukwana and secretary Polediso Motsieneng. Dukwana’s support base has been hostile towards Mbalula. Mbalula: “Leading the ANC is not like leading a football club…” Meanwhile, earlier this month at the Eastern Cape’s Chris Hani regional conference, Mbalula reprimanded party members who are making pronouncements on who will lead the ANC and strongly spoke against South African billionaire and mining magnate Patrice Motsepe, accusing him of running a presidential bid. Mbalula ridiculed Motsepe saying that if he wants to lead the party, he must show evidence that he is a member of a branch. “The are talks of people we don’t even know have a branch, that they’d be ANC president because they have money. “Leading the ANC is not like leading a football club and all that. You work for this” Mbalula said. In an interview with Journal News, Political analyst and the Academic Head of the Department of Sociology at University of the Free State, Sethulego Matebesi, says Mbalula is exploiting his position.He says he believes that Mbalula is not being fair and because of the key position he occupies, he is not being a disciplined member of the organisation. “If it was anybody else who started a presidential campaign like that, he would have come out guns blazing and probably would have led to disciplinary processes of the party. When asked his opinions on Chabeli’s social media outburst, Metebesi said he thinks Chabeli needs to tread carefully. ANC Free State responds ANC Provincial Spokesperson Thabo Meeko says they do not find anything wrong with the song. He says ANC members are allowed to sing about their leadership as long as it does not contradicts the ANC's Code of Conduct. Meeko responded to a praise song does not mean endorsement.