ANC Regional Conference in Joburg. IMAGE:SABC
(The Post News) – The ANC’s Johannesburg 16th regional elective conference has officially begun. This marks a decisive moment for the party. At the centre of the conference is a leadership contest. Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero is the incumbent regional chairperson. Loyiso Masuku is a member of the mayoral committee for finance.
The three-day gathering comes after months of delays. Factional disputes were a cause of these delays. There were also allegations of manipulation. Additionally, the dissolution of the regional executive committee earlier this year contributed to the delays.
Leadership Battle: Morero vs Masuku
Morero has led the ANC in Joburg for the past three years. During this time, he emphasised cleaning up the city. However, he acknowledged severe financial challenges. These include declining revenue collection and unauthorised expenditure.
The Gauteng provincial task team dissolved its regional executive committee earlier this year. They cited divisions and manipulation.
Morero has argued that his experience and track record in municipal governance make him the right candidate. He believes he should continue leading the ANC in Johannesburg. He has also said that losing the race would not end his political career. This signals both confidence and acceptance of the stakes.
Morero has emphasised his commitment to strengthening the ANC’s structures and growing its membership base.
“That’s the responsibility that I’ll be charged with. It includes ensuring that the structures of the ANC become strong on the ground. It also involves increasing the membership of the ANC. Additionally, I will continue to contribute towards the national discourse,” he said.
He also acknowledged the competitive nature of the conference, describing it as a fair contest.
“In fact, the conference it’s a contestatory, where candidates contest a position. And at the end of the day, the voting delegates from branches are the ones who are going to vote. And every candidate throughout the process is given an opportunity to lobby, to converse, to demonstrate abilities that they have. But at the end of the day, it goes down to voting,” Morero explained.
Masuku is widely seen as a strong challenger, with significant backing from multiple branches.
Masuku has positioned himself as a fresh alternative to Morero. He promises to strengthen the ANC’s structures. He also aims to prepare the party for the next municipal elections.
Reports suggest Masuku has secured broad grassroots support, making the contest highly competitive and unpredictable.
Policy Debates and Organisational Renewal
Delegates are expected to deliberate on coalition politics. They will also discuss governance challenges. Furthermore, they will assess the ANC’s readiness ahead of the upcoming National General Council later this month.
The conference is based on a directive from ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula. He insisted that the Johannesburg gathering be held no later than 3 December. This timing aligns with the party’s broader roadmap for regional conferences and the NGC. This urgency reflects the national leadership’s concern about divisions in Johannesburg. The area is seen as critical to the ANC’s fortunes in Gauteng.
Organisational reports will also be tabled, focusing on strengthening branch structures, improving internal democracy, and addressing factionalism.
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