Billionaire businessman the favourite to become South Africa’s next president

Political analyst Frans Cronje said billionaire Patrice Motsepe is the preferred candidate to become the new ANC leader and, ultimately, South Africa’s next president.

Cronje shared his views during a discussion on The Common Sense podcast about the ANC’s leadership battle.

Motsepe has repeatedly denied wanting to run for ANC president, saying he has no interest in being involved in politics.

He explained that he prefers focusing on his various businesses, family foundations, Mamelodi Sundowns, and his role as Confederation of African Football President. 

“A few years ago, the editors of the major newspapers asked me whether I was going to get involved in politics,” he said.

“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 repeated this message during African Rainbow Minerals’ (ARM) financial results briefing on 7 March 2026.

He described the rumours linking him to the 2027 ANC leadership race as false and unfounded.

He stated clearly that he is not part of any political campaign and remains focused on his business and the South African economy.

Motsepe distanced himself from the PM27 lobby campaign pushing for him to succeed President Cyril Ramaphosa.

He added that his resignation as executive chairman and an employee of his company, ARM, has nothing to do with political ambitions.

Instead, it was necessary to satisfy JSE rules requiring listed companies to have a chief executive officer and a chair, who must not hold the same position.

Frans Cronje’s view on Patrice Motsepe as ANC president

Cronje, who is at the forefront of political polling and sentiment in South Africa, said Motsepe is the most popular candidate to succeed Ramaphosa.

Citing data from the Social Research Foundation, Cronje said Motsepe led the field as a preferred successor for ANC leadership.

“Motsepe’s numbers are a rocket ship that is taking off for him. This includes his national support and his favourability in the ANC,” Cronje said.

“His numbers are immensely strong. The numbers are so strong that it would be suicidal for the ANC to go for anyone else.”

He argued that Motsepe could not announce his ambitions about running for ANC president at the ARM results briefing.

Apart from turning the event into a political platform, it would have violated ANC norms regarding self-promotion before official nomination.

Cronje also dismissed Motsepe’s claim that PM27 could stand for anything, pointing out that the campaign website is explicitly focused on Patrice Motsepe.

He said that if Motsepe’s team sees a clear path to victory through the ANC conference in December 2027, he will run and likely win.

Should Motsepe run and win the ANC presidential race, Cronje said it would bolster South Africa’s economic trajectory and the party’s prospects.

“This can significantly boost economic growth, and potentially return the ANC to a 50% plus majority,” he said.

He predicts this would get South Africa’s growth rate back on track by the early 2030s and restore living standards to levels not seen in nearly two decades.

Other analysts share Cronje’s view. Modern Corporate Solutions mining analyst Peter Major has also thrown his support behind a Motsepe presidency.

He said the businessman could have what it takes to revive South Africa’s struggling mining industry.

Major told BizNews that Motsepe has the ability to significantly change the fortunes of South Africa’s mining sector for the better if he gets into a position of power.

Similarly, Efficient Group chief economist Dawie Roodt recently said electing Motsepe would be the “best move the ANC could make”.

“That is probably the single best move that the ANC can make, and that’s to get him to become the president of the ANC and of South Africa,” Roodt said.

“If you look at the other potential candidates like Paul Mashatile and Fikile Mbalula, those guys I do not have any confidence in. But Patrice, that’s a completely different story.”