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Key Facts at a Glance
- Event Overview: The 16th ANC Greater Johannesburg Regional Conference kicked off on December 4, 2025, in Johannesburg, South Africa, focusing on electing new regional leadership amid factional tensions.
- Hot Contest: Loyiso Masuku, the ANC Johannesburg deputy secretary, accepted nomination for chairperson, setting up a direct showdown with incumbent Dada Morero, the city’s mayor seeking re-election.
- Other Key Races: Nominations rolled in for secretary (Sasabona Manganye), regional secretary (Lebohang Tshabalala), deputy secretary (Lerato “K” Bob and Nomoya Mnisi; Thuthukile Zuma fell short of the 25% threshold), and treasurer (Muzi Ndlovu and Maxwell Nedzamba).
- Broader Stakes: The conference, attended by ANC heavyweights like Fikile Mbalula and Nomvula Mokonyane, aims to resolve infighting in the “sinking ship” of Johannesburg’s branch, as warned by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, with voting slated for Day 2.
The Story Unfolds:
Factional Fireworks at ANC’s Joburg Power HubIn the heart of Africa’s economic powerhouse, the Gallagher Convention Centre buzzed with yellow-clad delegates on December 4, 2025, as the African National Congress’s Greater Johannesburg Region convened its 16th elective conference. What started as a procedural gathering quickly ignited into a battle for control of one of the party’s most influential branches, where loyalties could sway Gauteng’s—and potentially national—politics ahead of 2027 polls.At the epicenter: the chairperson race.
Incumbent Dada Morero, Johannesburg’s embattled mayor, stood firm for re-election, framing his bid as continuity amid the city’s service delivery woes. But challenger Loyiso Masuku, the sharp-tongued deputy secretary, electrified the hall by accepting his nomination with a rallying cry for renewal. “This is about reclaiming our mandate,” Masuku declared in a video clip that went viral on X, drawing cheers from anti-Morero factions.
The duel underscores deep rifts: Morero’s camp, backed by mayor allies, accuses Masuku of opportunism, while Masuku’s supporters decry “stale leadership” fueling the city’s R23 billion debt and pothole-plagued streets.Nominations cascaded through the afternoon, signaling a slate shake-up. For secretary, Sasabona Manganye stepped up unchallenged, vowing organizational fixes. Lebohang Tshabalala and Lerato “K” Bob locked horns for secretary and deputy roles, respectively, with Nomoya Mnisi adding heat to the deputy contest.
Thuthukile Zuma, daughter of ANC icon Jacob Zuma, made a dramatic floor nomination for deputy but missed the 25% branch support threshold, her bid fizzling amid murmurs of dynasty fatigue. Treasurer hopefuls Muzi Ndlovu and Maxwell Nedzamba rounded out the field, promising fiscal discipline for a region bleeding cash.Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi set the tone earlier, blasting delegates to “stop squabbling over a sinking ship and save it,” a nod to Johannesburg’s governance meltdown—from water crises to coalition dramas.
Top ANC brass, including secretary-general Fikile Mbalula and deputy Nomvula Mokonyane, made surprise appearances, reportedly to safeguard their 2027 ambitions by tilting the scales. As chants of “Amandla!” echoed, the conference highlighted the ANC’s post-2024 election imperative: unity or bust in urban strongholds where voter apathy looms large.With voting queued for December 5, this Joburg showdown isn’t just regional—it’s a microcosm of the ANC’s survival strategy, where fresh blood might staunch the bleeds or deepen the divides.
Timeline of Key Events
- November 28, 2025: ANC SG Fikile Mbalula insists Johannesburg regional conference must convene no later than December 3 to align with renewal timelines.
- December 3, 2025: Pre-conference buzz peaks with reports of Morero-Masuku rivalry; Panyaza Lesufi warns of “sinking ship” infighting.
- December 4, 2025, Morning: 16th Greater Johannesburg Regional Conference opens at Gallagher Convention Centre; discussions on organizational renewal begin.
- December 4, 2025, Afternoon: Nominations accepted—Masuku challenges Morero for chair; secretary, deputy, and treasurer races fill out amid cheers and procedural drama.
- December 4, 2025, Evening: Thuthukile Zuma’s deputy bid rejected for insufficient support; Mbalula and Mokonyane arrive to observe.
- December 5, 2025, Morning: Voting commences for all positions, with results expected by midday; focus shifts to governance transformation pledges.
Spotlight on Key Players
- Dada Morero: Current Johannesburg mayor since 2022 and ANC regional chairperson, Morero rose through Cosatu ranks as a labor activist before entering politics. A Morero re-election would solidify his mayoral grip amid coalition volatility, but critics slam his tenure for escalating city debt and service failures.
- Loyiso Masuku: ANC Johannesburg deputy secretary and Morero’s longtime rival, Masuku is a vocal renewal advocate with roots in youth league organizing. His upset bid could catapult him to mayor, positioning him as a fresh face in Gauteng’s factional wars.
- Panyaza Lesufi: Gauteng Premier and ANC provincial chair, Lesufi’s “sinking ship” barb underscores his mediator role; a teacher-turned-politician, he’s eyed for national elevation if Joburg stabilizes under his influence.
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