JOHANNESBURG – A new poll suggests billionaire businessman and Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe is the favourite to replace President Cyril Ramaphosa as leader of the ruling African National Congress in South Africa.
The Social Research Foundation (SRF) poll shows Motsepe leading Deputy President Paul Mashatile among general voters, while ANC supporters favor Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula.
Motsepe — who has said he will not run — was still included in the poll with suggestions his backers still hope to persuade him to change his mind and throw his hat in the ring.
The succession debate has overshadowed this week’s ANC National General Council meeting, which marks the start of the party’s transition toward its 2027 elective conference.
Several new names have also surfaced, including ANC Deputy Secretary-General Nomvula Mokonyane and National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza, backed by the ANC Women’s League, as well as Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.
The leadership maneuvering comes as the ANC grapples with declining support and shrinking membership, which has fallen to just over 540,000.
Party leaders, including Gwede Mantashe, have attempted to downplay the speculation, calling succession talk premature.
