SA's next President? Malema warns Mbalula is ‘going for the kill’ in ANC succession race
Julius Malema believes that Fiklie Mbalula (pictured) is currently leading the ANC's succession race.
Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
EFF leader Julius Malema has warned that ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula is on course to become the party’s next president unless there is a serious intervention to stop him, and that the party’s deputy president, Paul Mashatile, was still “trying to catch up”.
Speaking during a media briefing on Thursday in Johannesburg, the red bereted leader said that without decisive action, Mbalula is going to be the party’s next president.
“I warned you that there’s Mbalula. If they allow him to do what he’s doing, he’s going to lead them,” Malema said.
He added that if the ANC’s succession battle were a marathon, “Mbalula is ahead, Paul (Mashatile) is trying to catch up, and I don’t know how he will get there”.
EFF leader Julius Malema speaks at a media briefing in Johannesburg, warning that ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula is “going for the kill” in the party’s succession race.
Image: Facebook/EFF
Malema’s comments come amid intensifying speculation and behind-the-scenes discussions about the ANC’s future leadership.
The party’s National General Council (NGC), held this week in Ekurhuleni, further fuelled talk of an emerging succession race ahead of the ANC’s 2027 national conference.
Senior ANC figures, including Mashatile, Mbalula, Thoko Didiza, Ronald Lamola and Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, are increasingly being mentioned as possible contenders to succeed party leader Cyril Ramaphosa.
While the ANC insists there is no leadership race underway, the speculation has largely overshadowed the NGC, which concluded on Thursday.
Mashatile and Mbalula remain the most frequently cited possible successors, while Didiza, the Speaker of the National Assembly, has recently emerged as a potential candidate with reported backing from senior leaders, including Ramaphosa.
Lamola, the Minister of International Relations and Co-operation, is also viewed as a potential contender.
Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa is reportedly exploring a joint bid for either president or deputy president.
Despite the swirling speculation, the ANC said its four-day council meeting had not raised any call for Ramaphosa to step down.
Malema argued that the NGC had effectively served as a “show of force” for Mbalula.
“Mbalula is ahead of these so-called staged NGCs that get organised in a manner that has never been organised,” he said.
“That was Mbalula’s show of force, but you say it was Cyril’s show of force… It was never about that - Mbalula wanted to show them that he is in charge.”
Reflecting on his time in the ANC Youth League, Malema said NGC outcomes could be indicators of future leadership results.
“The conference is not won at the conference, but before,” he said.
“He is going for the kill. He’s going to emerge as president unless something drastic happens.”
Malema said Mbalula’s lengthy two-and-a-half-hour address to the NGC - delivered while Ramaphosa was seated - was “a clear demonstration of power”.
He added that delegates had later begun singing pro-Mbalula songs in Ramaphosa’s presence.
“The president is forced by the environment to stand up and sing about Mbalula,” Malema said.
“The sitting president (referring to Malema) is made to sing about the secretary-general - and then you must tell me where the power is.”
ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe earlier this week dismissed succession talk as premature.
“People will put their names in their heads. They want to be elected. But that is premature,” he said.
He confirmed he would not stand, saying, “I’m more than 70 years old. I’m retiring.”
The ANC’s next national conference is scheduled for 2027.
Ramokgopa declined to comment on whether he would enter the race.
“Let’s focus on electricity. Those conversations will come later.”
Didiza also downplayed reports that she was eyeing the presidency.
“I have seen the interest from the media, which is very intriguing,” she said.
“We all know the processes of the ANC. I just think we need to be patient and wait for the process.”
Mbalula has repeatedly denied that any succession battle is underway within the party.
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
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