Billionaire in line to become South Africa’s next president

ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula has urged South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe to back the party and not fracture it further by pursuing its presidency. 

Speculation that the billionaire will attempt to take the helm of South Africa’s largest political party has gained momentum in recent months. 

Motsepe’s credentials have been given a boost by his successful tenure as leader of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). 

The hosting of one of the most successful editions of Afcon, with revenue surging 90% on the back of a doubling in commercial deals, has sparked rumours that Motsepe will look to run FIFA or make a move for the ANC’s presidency. 

The Athletic reported that Motsepe is searching for his next challenge, with the businessman debating between the ANC presidency and running FIFA. 

Taking over the helm of the ANC would mean that Motsepe would replace his brother-in-law, President Cyril Ramaphosa, after his two terms leading the liberation party. 

However, Motsepe’s rumoured presidential run shares similarities in how the billionaire came to be CAF President, as he repeatedly denied wanting to take on the role. 

Motsepe was concerned about CAF’s flawed reputation, in-fighting between members, and its significant debt burden. 

However, after some persuasion from local South African Football Association members, Motsepe decided to run for CAF President only days before the closing date for applications. There is speculation he could do the same for the ANC’s elective conference in 2027. 

Motsepe has strongly denied wanting to run for ANC president, saying he has no interest in being involved in politics and prefers focusing on his various businesses, family foundations, Mamelodi Sundowns, and being CAF President. 

“A few years ago, the editors of the major newspapers asked me whether I was going to get involved in politics,” he said at African Rainbow Minerals’ latest results presentation.

“My answer was always that I don’t have to get into politics to make a contribution to this country and to fulfil my duty to the people.”

“I will continue to, as I have in the past, work with all political parties across the board,” he said.

The ANC’s saviour

While Motsepe has denied wanting to run for the ANC presidency, speculation has only grown regarding a campaign to get him to the helm of the party. 

Motsepe has been included in several public polls surveying the popularity of various presidential candidates, as supporters hold the belief that he can be convinced to run. 

There have also been numerous reports of ANC branches nominating him to take over the party’s leadership. They see him as a billionaire outlier who can stabilise the ANC and end its factionalism. 

Recently, reports of ANC shirts being printed with “PM Savumelana” on them have emerged, with political analyst Prince Mashele saying that this shows Motsepe wants to be president.

These reports have become significant enough to warrant a response from Mbalula, who has urged Motsepe to support the organisation rather than run for its presidency.

“It is just people who are doing things that are un-ANC. We are going to clamp down on them. We have said to all members of the ANC that the issue of leadership will come in 2027,” Mbalula told the SABC.

“Once we see that in our branches, we are going to collect the shirts and put them in the dustbin. That is what we are going to do, if it is done in the name of the ANC.” 

Mbalula said the issue of the party’s leadership is not open to debate at the moment, with the ANC fully focused on this year’s municipal elections.

“People are telling us these things about PM 2027, diverting us from the major tasks. We should be focusing on the tasks of reclaiming our lost ground,” Mbalula said. 

“We have told people to wait. The time for that, including talking about your candidate and why they should win, will come later.” 

“Why t-shirts? They are diverting us from the task of reclaiming lost ground. These people are not ANC, they are just trying to disrupt us by doing things that are un-ANC.” 

Mbalula said he has not engaged with Motsepe regarding this, saying he will deal with the matter through his mandate as ANC Secretary General. 

“I don’t know where this is coming from. If it is a member of the ANC, they will know that there is an order in the organisation that matters of that nature will come in 2027,” Mbalula said. 

“Why should we be busy with that now? He should be pumping money into supporting the ANC into winning local government elections if he loved the ANC.” 

Mbalula said he cannot be seen to be chasing ghosts, with no official communication from Motsepe that he is running for the presidency, there is little he can do as ANC Secretary General.