The absence of the African National Congress (ANC)'s chairpersons in the provinces of North West and Free State from their respective provincial cabinets has left party branches in a state of concern. The fear that this could potentially create difficulties by establishing two centers of power has gripped the party's structures.
The current ANC chair in North West, Nono Maloyi, made the decision not to stand for election as premier, opting instead to leave the government and focus on his business endeavors. Similarly, Mxolisi Dukwana, the Free State counterpart, was passed over in favor of Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae for the position of premier.
Traditionally, the ANC has appointed its provincial chairpersons as premier candidates to ensure a seamless power transition between the party's structures and its representatives in government. This practice has been observed in all provinces where the ANC holds a majority, including Gauteng, where the party's voter support fell below 50% in the recent general elections. Despite the dip in support, chairperson Panyaza Lesufi managed to secure his position as premier through a coalition with the Democratic Alliance and other parties.
The ramifications of deviating from this established norm were evident in KwaZulu-Natal when Nomusa Dube-Ncube was appointed as premier in 2022 while Siboniso Duma, the provincial chairperson, repeatedly upstaged her at government events. Duma's actions earned him the moniker "shadow premier," causing embarrassment for the provincial government and impeding Dube-Ncube's ability to perform her duties effectively.
To mitigate tensions in Free State, it has been revealed that Dukwana has been appointed as the speaker of the Free State legislature. This move aims to ease potential conflicts between him and Letsoha-Mathae. ANC Free State deputy chair Toto Makume emphasized in an interview that there is "no fear" of a power struggle between the chair and the premier. Makume further explained that the premiers are selected by national officials following a rigorous process, including nominations from the province and interviews conducted by Luthuli House, with the most suitable candidate ultimately appointed.
Makume reassured that the ANC is not concerned about the emergence of parallel centers of power, as the party's deployees understand that the ANC itself is the center. He emphasized the importance of respecting the role of the premier and providing unwavering support. In the case of personal interests or misunderstandings, Makume stated that the ANC would intervene to ensure a resolution.
In North West, tensions are already brewing, with ANC sources disclosing that branches have begun lobbying for the removal of Maloyi as chairperson due to his refusal to join the government, which could potentially lead to friction with Premier Lazzy Mokgosi. One source shed light on the situation, stating, "What usually happens is if a leader of a political party opts not to be in government, they have to give instruction on a daily basis. Some of our deployees will say they will never be controlled by someone who is outside." The decision not to include Maloyi in the provincial cabinet has caused discontent at the branch level, with concerns arising about the possibility of two centers of power.
ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula's office has had to intervene, as there was "no consensus" among the provincial leadership regarding the appointments to the cabinet. The source from Mbalula's office highlighted the need for the premier to have the authority to determine the composition of the cabinet, rather than being influenced by external forces. The concern is that individuals imposed on the premier by someone outside the government will be accountable to their external master, rather than to the premier.
In response to these concerns, ANC provincial secretary Louis Diremelo emphasized that the issue of dual power centers has not been problematic in North West, asserting that the party and government's operations are running smoothly. Diremelo clarified that Maloyi remains the chair of the province and had made it clear from the beginning that he would not return to the government. Diremelo further stated that the appointment of the premier would allow them to maintain regular communication to ensure a smooth administration. He emphasized that they are not micromanaging the premier, and the likelihood of dual power centers arising is minimal when individuals are engaged in their own business pursuits, while others focus on government affairs.
Diremelo refuted claims that Mbalula had to intervene in the appointment process, stating that all provinces, where the ANC retained its majority, followed the same procedure in selecting premiers and cabinet members. He clarified that consultations with the office of the secretary general were conducted by every province, including theirs.
As the ANC grapples with the absence of its chairpersons in the provincial cabinets of North West and Free State, concerns about the potential emergence of dual power centers continue to loom. The party's structures are eager to ensure a seamless power transition and maintain the ANC unity, as deviations from the established norm have previously caused tensions and conflicts within the party. However, ANC officials have sought to downplay the concerns, emphasizing that the ANC itself is the center of power and that the premiers and cabinet members will act in accordance with the party's directives.
