Loyiso Masuku Ousts Mayor Dada Morero As ANC Joburg Chair

December 5, 2025

Key Facts at a Glance

Historic Victory: Loyiso Masuku elected as the first female Regional Chairperson of the ANC Greater Johannesburg Region on December 5, 2025, defeating incumbent Johannesburg Mayor Thapelo “Dada” Morero.
Conference Context: The elections concluded the ANC’s 16th Regional Conference in Sandton, Johannesburg, attended by 184 delegates amid the party’s “Year of Renewal” drive.
Full Slate Elected: Masuku leads a new Regional Executive Committee (REC) including Secretary Sabona Manganye, Deputy Chairperson Masilo Sekele, Deputy Secretary Lerato Kob, and Treasurer Maxwell Nedzamba.
Political Stakes: The shift comes as the ANC faces intensifying competition from rivals like the EFF, MK Party, ActionSA, and DA in Gauteng, its traditional stronghold.

In a pivotal moment for South Africa’s ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC) ushered in fresh leadership for its Greater Johannesburg Region on December 5, 2025. The Sandton conference, which kicked off earlier in the week, symbolized the ANC’s ongoing “Year of Renewal” initiative—a strategic push to revitalize the organization and realign it with the Freedom Charter’s vision of equitable change. Delegates, numbering 184, cast their votes in a closely watched race that underscored internal tensions and the party’s broader electoral vulnerabilities.

At the heart of the drama was the chairperson contest between Loyiso Masuku, a rising star known for her grassroots organizing, and Thapelo Morero, the charismatic Johannesburg Mayor whose tenure has been marked by both urban renewal efforts and corruption allegations. Masuku’s triumph, announced amid cheers and ANC regalia, marks not just a leadership handover but a gender milestone: she becomes the first woman to helm the region, which encompasses Johannesburg’s economic and political nerve center.

Her victory speech emphasized unity and service delivery, vowing to make the ANC “a more effective instrument of the people.”The election wasn’t without friction. Morero, in a passionate plea the day prior, urged delegates to prioritize “revolution over money,” a subtle nod to factional funding battles that have plagued ANC branches. Despite his loss, Morero expressed confidence in the new team’s capabilities, signaling a desire for continuity in Johannesburg’s governance amid coalition pressures. This regional reshuffle arrives as the ANC grapples with declining support in Gauteng—evident in recent by-elections and polls—where opposition parties are capitalizing on service delivery failures and governance scandals.

For ANC Gauteng, under Premier Panyaza Lesufi, Masuku’s elevation could inject new energy into mobilization efforts ahead of local polls. Yet, it also highlights the party’s internal renewal challenges: balancing veteran influences with younger, diverse voices while countering rivals’ social media savvy. As Johannesburg navigates water crises, housing backlogs, and economic inequality, the new REC’s mandate is clear—deliver tangible progress or risk further erosion of the ANC’s urban base.Timeline of Key Events

November 2025: ANC Gauteng announces the Greater Johannesburg Regional Conference as part of its national renewal program, setting the stage for leadership contests.
December 3, 2025: The 16th Regional Conference opens in Sandton, with delegates debating priorities like anti-corruption measures and youth inclusion.
December 4, 2025: Outgoing Chairperson Thapelo Morero addresses the conference, calling for delegates to choose ideological commitment over financial incentives in the hotly contested races.
December 5, 2025: Elections conclude; Loyiso Masuku secures the chairperson position with strong delegate support, followed by announcements of the full REC slate. Gauteng ANC hails the outcome as a “renewal milestone.”
Post-Election Outlook (December 2025 onward): New leadership tasked with implementing renewal strategies; regional branches prepare for potential coalition realignments in Johannesburg’s mayoral committee.

Spotlight on Key Players

Loyiso Masuku (Regional Chairperson): A seasoned ANC organizer and former ward councilor, Masuku rose through Gauteng youth leagues. Her advocacy for women’s leadership and community development positions her as a bridge between ANC veterans and millennials. As the first woman in this role, she’s poised to champion gender parity in party structures.
Thapelo “Dada” Morero (Outgoing Chairperson & Johannesburg Mayor): Elected mayor in 2021 via ANC-EFF coalition, Morero’s administration has focused on informal settlement upgrades but faced scrutiny over procurement irregularities. A former MK Party defector back to ANC folds, his concession speech emphasized party unity, hinting at his continued influence in city hall.
Sabona Manganye (Regional Secretary): A longtime ANC administrator with expertise in branch mobilization, Manganye’s role will be crucial in coordinating the region’s 100+ branches amid renewal audits.
Masilo Sekele (Regional Deputy Chairperson): Known for labor union ties, Sekele brings deployment experience from Gauteng’s public works sector, focusing on job creation pledges.
Lerato Kob (Regional Deputy Secretary): An emerging voice in ANC women’s leagues, Kob’s portfolio will emphasize policy formulation and dispute resolution within the branch.
Maxwell Nedzamba (Regional Treasurer): A financial strategist with ANC fundraising credentials, Nedzamba aims to enhance transparency in regional finances to rebuild public trust.

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