Disbanding the KwaZulu-Natal ANC leadership would be a catastrophic move, handing the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) a golden opportunity to gain support from disillusioned ANC members. This is the stark warning from political analyst Professor Lesiba Teffo, as speculation grows that the ANC National Working Committee (NWC) has recommended the provincial leadership’s dissolution.
According to Teffo, such a move would deal a severe blow to the ANC in its former stronghold. “Disbanding the provincial leadership would be the death knell for the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal. It would be the greatest Christmas present for the MKP, which stands to benefit the most,” he said.
Teffo further cautioned that the ANC currently lacks a leader with the charisma and influence to counteract Jacob Zuma, who remains a dominant figure in KwaZulu-Natal and beyond. He suggested that Zuma’s MKP was a decisive factor in the ANC’s national and provincial decline, which saw the party’s support plummet below 50% for the first time. “If it wasn’t for Zuma’s MKP, perhaps the ANC would have managed to secure above 50% nationally,” he added.
Teffo urged the ANC to strengthen its provincial leadership instead of dissolving it. He also argued that holding the provincial leadership accountable for the party’s dismal electoral performance without taking action at the national level would be inconsistent.
“If the provincial leadership is disbanded for poor performance, then the national leadership must also face the same fate. It would be unfair to hold only provinces accountable,” Teffo asserted.
Struggles Within the Provincial Leadership
On Monday, KwaZulu-Natal ANC leaders Siboniso Duma and Bheki Mtolo were summoned to Gauteng by the NWC to explain the party’s drop from 57% to 17% in the May general election. While they attributed the decline to Jacob Zuma’s continued popularity and the rise of the MKP, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula rejected the justification, insisting that “it can’t be business as usual” when the party is in crisis.
Although Mbalula announced that the provincial leadership would know its fate within two weeks, rumors have swirled that the NWC has already recommended disbandment. This speculation has only intensified concerns about the ANC’s future in KwaZulu-Natal.
Zulu Royal Ties and Leadership Challenges
Observers have pointed to the leadership’s weak relationship with the Zulu Royal family as another factor in the ANC’s decline in the province. Duma and Mtolo, both former members of the ANC Youth League, hail from the southern part of KwaZulu-Natal, a region historically less tied to Zulu kingdom politics. Their limited appeal to voters loyal to the Zulu monarchy has raised doubts about their ability to rebuild the party in the province.
Elected in 2022 after defeating former chairperson Sihle Zikalala and secretary Mdumiseni Ntuli, Duma and Mtolo now face mounting pressure to restore the ANC’s influence. However, some believe their efforts are hindered by the deeply entrenched challenges facing the party.
The Road Ahead for the ANC
Teffo also cast doubt on the ANC’s broader renewal prospects, suggesting the party has veered off course for too long. “Even if Cyril Ramaphosa is replaced, the next leader will face the same issues. The ANC’s renewal is unlikely to succeed in the immediate future,” he said.
As the ANC grapples with its internal divisions and declining support, disbanding its KwaZulu-Natal leadership risks alienating key constituencies while strengthening the MKP’s position. For now, the party faces an uphill battle to unify its ranks and regain its footing ahead of the 2026 local government elections.