ANC NGC will not discuss leadership changes: Mashatile

Deputy President Paul Mashatile.

As the African National Congress‘s (ANC) National General Council (NGC) gets underway this week in Boksburg, east of Johannesburg, Deputy President Paul Mashatile says the gathering will not discuss leadership changes.

He says President Cyril Ramaphosa will remain in office until the end of his term, with leadership matters reserved for the 2027 national conference.

The ANC’s NGC runs from the 8th to the 11th of December, with delegates expected to debate the party’s direction, performance and renewal agenda.

Mashatile made these remarks at last week’s interaction with the Parliamentary Gallery Associations, insisting Ramaphosa will remain in office until the end of his term.

“The NGC will not really deal with issues of leadership at all. These are matters that will go to the national conference in 2027. So this should not really be a preoccupation. Yes, there was an issue that the president raised, that there were some amongst NEC members who were plotting that he should be removed or resign. The President raised this issue himself in the NEC, but obviously the NEC decided that such a move would not be supported. The President has been elected. He will stay until he finishes his term.”

Political analyst, Sandile Swana says while leadership is off the table, the NGC will focus on reviewing the party’s performance, strengthening internal structures and accelerating renewal.

“The ANC has got to account for the successes and failures of the GNU. Whether the GNU as it is, is a vehicle that will preserve and give some survival to the ANC going forward. The question of whether Ramaphosa is a suitable leader from an ANC perspective and from a voter perspective remains open because good performance has been very scarce since 2018 until now.”

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ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula, meanwhile, says that the party is ready for its NGC. He was addressing the media today.

Mbalula also said that the ANC’s fifth NGC will stick to the party’s theme of renewal and staying in touch with communities.

[WATCH] ANC Secretary General, Comrade Fikile Mbalula, led the media on a walkabout to assess readiness for the 5th National General Council, outlining final preparations, infrastructure plans, and operational measures for a smooth and successful gathering.#ANCNGC2025… pic.twitter.com/blSofG770r

— ANCLimpopo (@ANCLimpopo) December 7, 2025