By Johnathan Paoli
The African National Congress’ national executive committee (NEC) meeting was underway on its third day on Sunday with members grappling with a range of critical organisational and political challenges.
ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri briefed the media ahead of the day’s deliberations, confirming that the NEC would engage on key matters including the South African Communist Party’s (SACP) decision to contest elections independently, the state of the ANC, leadership ethics and the economic implications of newly imposed United States tariffs.
“The ANC remains committed to building a united, disciplined and people-centred movement. The NEC deliberations reflect our ongoing efforts to restore public trust, strengthen democracy, and chart a clear path for the ANC’s future,” she said.
The NEC meeting, running until Monday at the Germiston Civic Centre in Ekurhuleni, comes at important time when the party is navigating internal renewal, alliance tensions and external economic pressures.
One of the pressing items on the agenda is the SACP’s decision to contest future elections independently, a move that has caused unease within the ANC-led Tripartite Alliance.
Bhengu-Motsiri said the NEC would “consider the implications of that decision” and reflect on “the historical alliance unity and how we manage that under these conditions”.
She indicated that discussions would also focus on the future of alliance cohesion post-2024, acknowledging the importance of maintaining ideological alignment and collaboration between the ANC, SACP, and Congress of SA Trade Unions, while recognising the changing political landscape.
Bhengu-Motsiri confirmed that the Integrity Commission, chaired by Frank Chikane, would deliver a comprehensive report to the NEC on ethical leadership and integrity management within the ANC.
The report addresses ongoing cases of unethical conduct among senior leaders, with a particular emphasis on fast-tracking consequence management.
“We will reflect on the NEC’s decisions regarding the report and cases under review. There is a concerted focus on strengthening consequence management mechanisms,” she stated.
The ANC has faced mounting public pressure to act decisively on corruption and ethical failures within its ranks, and the commission’s recommendations are expected to be a litmus test for the party’s commitment to clean governance.
Another cornerstone of Sunday’s discussions is the state of the ANC as an organisation.
Secretary-general Fikile Mbalula is set to present a detailed report on the National Working Committee’s (NWC) efforts since the last NEC meeting, focusing on organisational renewal, branch reactivation, and implementation of 55th National Conference resolutions.
Bhengu-Motsiri explained that this would include updates on internal disciplinary processes, a national membership audit and the utilisation of the “branch functionality barometer”, a tool adopted to assess and strengthen ANC branches.
She said the aim is to rebuild structures from the ground up, noting that vibrant, functional branches were essential for re-establishing the ANC’s grassroots connection and credibility.
Former president Kgalema Motlanthe, who is the chairperson of the ANC Electoral Committee, is also expected to present findings on the party’s post-election evaluation process and internal candidate selection mechanisms.
Bhengu-Motsiri emphasised that a key discussion point would be the implementation of a long-standing ANC resolution to involve communities directly in the selection of local and national election candidates.
“We want to ensure that our candidates reflect the communities they serve. The ANC is looking to make this a real and tangible process,” she said.
The initiative aims to improve accountability and deepen participatory democracy within the party, following criticism of ANC-imposed candidates who lack legitimacy at local level.
On the international front, the NEC will also consider a report on the 30% tariffs imposed by the United States, which affect several key South African exports.
Bhengu-Motsiri did not disclose the full extent of the deliberations but confirmed that the ANC was concerned about the geopolitical and economic ramifications of the tariffs.
“This matter will be deliberated upon as part of the ANC’s broader analysis of South Africa’s global trade positioning and sovereignty in economic decision-making,” she said.
The NEC is also laying the groundwork for the ANC’s national general council (NGC), scheduled for December.
Bhengu-Motsiri said preparations are well underway, including the drafting of discussion documents on leadership performance, electoral strategy and mid-term policy reviews.
“Branches must engage with these documents thoroughly so that delegates attend the NGC with clear, democratically mandated positions,” she said.
The NGC will serve as a mid-term checkpoint for implementation of policies adopted at the ANC’s 55th National Conference in 2022 and is expected to guide the party’s direction leading into the 2026 local government elections.
Bhengu-Motsiri affirmed the ANC’s resolve to pursue organisational renewal, reinforce ethical governance and realign its relationship with its alliance partners and the South African electorate.
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