All eyes will be on the African National Congress (ANC) elective conference in December 2022.
As momentum builds up there are already fireworks in the air with some members complaining that it’s too soon for a succession debate.
Since its 54th conference held several years ago, the party has been struggling with its renewal and unity project.
The ANC finds itself still divided despite efforts of the current leadership to unite the party and close ranks.
In recent developments, the provincial leadership of two provinces has been disbanded.
In the video below, ANC leadership disbands the National Working Committee in Mpumalanga:
The party then was faced with many challenges, among others, its image was almost compromised.
The ANC for years has been struggling with factionalism within its ranks.
Tensions among ANC members in North West reach boiling point:
In this year’s political calendar the ANC conference is expected to be amongst the most interesting. The party will have to choose new leaders to take it forward.
Nine months ahead of the conference, already two provincial structures of the party have been disbanded.
The ANC unity program has been under a magnifying glass since the last conference.
At the party’s January celebrations, ANC Chairperson in Limpopo endorsed ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa for a second term.
The members of the party argue that a preferred candidate to lead the party must not be pronounced prematurely.
Another challenge for the ANC, is the third part of the Zondo report that has implicated its senior members.
There are fears that the State Capture report findings and recommendations might deepen division within the party.
With the party already facing pushback from the suspended Secretary-General Ace Magashule, it remains to be seen how the outcome of his court proceedings may decide his fate based on the step aside rule adopted at the Nasrec conference.
The question remains if the current factions will regroup to nominate their preferred candidate to challenge the current party president.
