ANC Gauteng Chairperson Panyaza Lesufi has voiced concern over the party’s continued electoral decline, pointing to corruption, deepening unemployment and the influx of undocumented foreign nationals as some of the key factors eroding public trust.
Lesufi delivered the remarks during the opening of the ANC Greater Johannesburg Regional Conference in Woodmead in Johannesburg on Wednesday night.
He said unemployment, in particular, has had a significant impact on voter sentiment and has contributed to frustrations among communities that feel neglected.
“There is eight critical issues where the African National Congress is absent high on the list is unemployment,” he said.
Lesufi also criticised ANC leaders for allowing the party to drift away from the people, saying internal failures have played a major role in the declining support.
“They argue comrades that we change, or perish, they argue that if we dont take them serious we must not expect them to take us serious.”
The conference — one of the most hotly contested in the province — will see current regional chairperson and Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero face off against regional deputy secretary and MMC for Finance Loyiso Masuku for the powerful chairperson position.
Delegates vying for key positions at the ANC Greater Johannesburg Regional Conference
The conference has attracted a competitive field of candidates across all top five positions, reflecting the tension between the Morero and Masuku slates.
Deputy Chairperson Nominees
Alex Masilo (Masuku slate)
Eunice Mgcina (Morero slate)
Matshidiso Mfikoe (Morero slate)
Regional Secretary Nominees
Sasabona Manganyi – current regional secretary (Masuku slate)
Lebogang Tshabalala – former ANC Youth League regional secretary (Morero slate)
Deputy Regional Secretary Nominees
Nomoya Mnisi – MMC for Economic Development (Morero slate)
Lerato Bob (Masuku slate)
Thuthukile Zuma (Morero slate)
Treasurer Nominees
Maxwell Nedzamba – former regional treasurer (Masuku slate)
Bonolo Ramokele – former City Power board chairperson (Masuku slate)
Muzi Nkosi (Morero slate)
The outcome is expected to influence the ANC’s internal power dynamics in Gauteng as the party works to rebuild its credibility ahead of the next election.
