Billionaire Patrice Motsepe t-shirts fuel ANC leadership rumours, party calls it 'mischievous'

Billionaire businessman and CAF president Patrice Motsepe should be “pumping money” into the ANC to help the party win the 2026 local government elections if he truly loves it, rather than pursuing the party presidency, ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula said.

Speaking in an interview with the public broadcaster on Tuesday, January 20, Mbalula said he had not personally engaged with Motsepe regarding leadership speculation.

This comes after branded T-shirts bearing the slogan “PM2027” have begun circulating widely on social media, fuelling speculation about a possible push for Motsepe ahead of the ANC’s 2027 elective conference.

Motsepe has repeatedly insisted he is “not available” for the position.

“I don’t have to engage him. I will deal with the matter, as per the mandate given to me, with those who are perpetuating that,” Mbalula said.

When asked about the origin of the campaign, he added, “I don’t know where that comes from. If he’s a member of the ANC, he will know that there is an order in the organisation right now that matters of that nature will come.”

He said that if party members want Motsepe to become ANC president and he is a member in good standing, “that moment will come.”

“Why should we be busy with that now? He should be pumping money into supporting the organisation to win local government elections if he loves the ANC, and that is what we’re about,” Mbalula said.

He described the current speculation as chasing “ghosts.” 

“Because when I get to him, he’s going to say, ‘Where did I say I’m standing?’ That moment will come. He will pronounce himself and say that I’m standing as president of the ANC, and I’m asking for your support for the following reasons. I want to be president of the ANC, and I’m a member in good standing. Here is my branch.”

Mbalula said he was monitoring the “PM27” movement, which had already begun circulating on social media and WhatsApp. 

“We will deal with it accordingly in terms of ANC party discipline,” he added.

T-shirts bearing the slogan “PM2027” have been widely shared on social media, fuelling speculation about a potential push for Motsepe ahead of the ANC’s 2027 elective conference. 

The shirts, emblazoned with the word Savumelana, a call for unity, are being promoted online and, according to sources, more than 50,000 have allegedly been produced for distribution.

The ANC has distanced itself from the campaign, describing it as “mischievous” and inconsistent with party rules on early leadership campaigning.

Motsepe, who is also the brother-in-law of President Cyril Ramaphosa, has consistently dismissed leadership ambitions, insisting he supports the ANC without seeking elected office. 

Despite this, his name continues to surface as succession politics quietly intensify.

Some supporters see Motsepe’s business success and international stature as a potential remedy to the ANC’s internal challenges, while critics warn it risks deepening perceptions of elite capture and blurring the lines between political power and private wealth.

Ramaphosa is expected to step down at the end of his term, with the ANC’s next elective conference scheduled for 2027. 

Discussions about his successor are already underway, despite official warnings against premature campaigning.

IOL has previously reported that senior figures including Deputy President Paul Mashatile, Thoko Didiza, Fikile Mbalula, Ronald Lamola and Kgosientsho Ramokgopa are increasingly mentioned as potential contenders.

ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu told IOL that the party would not entertain speculation. 

“The ANC does not respond to leadership conjecture. Discussions will take place at the appointed time,” she said.

Bhengu declined to comment on possible action against those behind the T-shirt campaign.

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