By Akani Nkuna
ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula issued a stern warning to the Donald Trump administration, saying the South African government would not be a pushover and would mobilise against any form of aggression to protect the country’s sovereignty.
“Our stance is very clear as the ANC, we are a disciplined force of the left. We are anti-imperialist and we defend our sovereignty. We advance multilateralism, we are against unilateralism. We are advancing for a rules-based system in the world and we are for the reform of institutional mechanisms,” he said.
“So this notion that we are controlled by the United States of America as a world policeman, we are not for that. In as far as the aggression we are facing from the US, in particular the Trump administration, we will mobilise and fight and defend our sovereignty as a country. That is what the ANC will pursue, including ensuring that its government [does the same].”
Mbalula was addressing the media at the ANC’s 5th National General Council (NGC) at the Birchwood Hotel on Wednesday, providing an update on proceedings since the conference began on Monday, including the party’s financial status.
He said that although the conference was only on its third day, it was already showing signs of success, characterised by peaceful engagements that left “naysayers” surprised after anticipating disruptive efforts, including attempts to remove President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Mbalula insisted the party remained on course to achieve its renewal ambitions despite turbulence and persistent financial constraints that have in recent years left the ANC unable to pay staff salaries.
Mbalula stressed that the party’s financial problems would be discussed in depth to find resolutions that ensure long-term sustainability, given the ANC’s monthly salary bill of more than R2 million.
Acknowledging the financial crisis, Mbalula said the ANC would not publicly release its financial report, citing its incomplete state and concerns over public scrutiny, but pledged firm action to stabilise the organisation.
“We are not going to give you the financial report, something that we have not prepared ourselves to give to you. We are not going to give you that report because it reports on the state of affairs which does not look good, which must be addressed,” he said.
Mbalula also revealed plans to “overhaul” the ANC leadership in KwaZulu-Natal as early as February 2026, following the end of the Provincial Task Team’s mandate, saying the PTT had failed to deliver on its renewal responsibilities.
He said the leadership deployed to revive the ANC’s standing in KZN became consumed by infighting over positions, derailing the renewal effort.
“KZN is a big disappointment in terms of our intervention, and I can assure you that there are going to be changes in the province. That structure is too big; we are going to make it linear and bring new people,” Mbalula added.
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