ANC National Chairperson Mantashe Warns Against Undermining KZN Leadership Ahead of 2024 Elections

As the African National Congress (ANC) gears up for the highly anticipated unveiling of its 2024 elections manifesto in KwaZulu-Natal, Gwede Mantashe, the ANC's national chairperson, has stepped forward to deliver a staunch defense of the province's leadership amid swirling doubts and challenges.

Mantashe's unwavering endorsement of the provincial executive committee (PEC) helmed by chair Siboniso Duma and secretary Bheki Mtolo comes at a critical juncture. Tasked with safeguarding the ANC’s dominance in KwaZulu-Natal, the PEC is navigating a precarious political landscape teeming with formidable contenders, including a resurgent Inkatha Freedom Party and the nascent Umkhonto we Sizwe party, championed by former president Jacob Zuma.

This political theatre has invited prominent figures like Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and Zweli Mkhize to lend their support, while Zandile Gumede, despite her embattled status due to corruption allegations, has not shied away from hitting the campaign trail with fervor.

Mantashe, confronting the skepticism cast over the provincial committee, emphasizes the peril of undermining the collective decision made during the PEC elections. According to Mantashe, bestowing confidence in the PEC is imperative to prevent the potential unraveling of the ANC stronghold in the province.

Effacing any conjectures of internal discord regarding the PEC, Mantashe asserted, “PECs are elected in provinces, you don’t cast doubts on them, unless you want to collapse that province, if you don’t want to collapse that province, you have confidence in the conferences that elected them.”

Furthermore, Mantashe brushed aside the criticism surrounding Gumede’s participation in campaigning efforts for the ANC, highlighting her popularity within eThekwini and implicitly acknowledging the practical aspects of political calculations by suggesting, “Now if Zandile is popular in eThekwini – we can’t say ‘don’t campaign’.”

The stakes have never been higher for the ANC, as it braces for what is expected to be the most challenging election it has faced. Staring down the possibility of losing grip on the key provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, the party's forthcoming manifesto launch symbolizes more than just another political event—it's a strategic rallying point epitomizing the party's resolve to not only maintain but reinforce its influence in South Africa's political landscape.

ANC supporters and party members are set to gather at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, manifesting a show of unity and hope as they mark the beginning of their 2024 election campaign journey.