ANC conference chaos and power plays

More than three months after the ANC’s “renew or die” message at its National General Council, the party’s internal processes are once again under the spotlight. In this episode of The Political Arena, Business Day politics editor Hajra Omarjee, alongside Sowetan deputy editor Thabiso Thakali and The Herald assistant editor of investigations Nomazima Nkosi, unpack the outcomes and tensions emerging from recent ANC conferences across the country. From the collapse of the Eastern Cape provincial conference amid court challenges and allegations of irregularities, to contrasting dynamics in provinces like Limpopo and Mpumalanga, the discussion explores how internal battles, organisational control and factional interests continue to shape the party’s direction. The team examines the role of party structures, the influence of key leaders, and what these developments reveal about the ANC’s ability to renew itself ahead of upcoming electoral contests. As competing interests and power plays unfold, the episode reflects on what lies ahead for the ANC and what it could mean for South Africa’s broader political landscape.