The African National Congress (ANC) has justified its decision to involve seasoned party veterans in the effort to rebuild its Gauteng structures. On Wednesday, Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula introduced new leadership arrangements for the province following the party’s underwhelming performance in the 2024 elections.
Former Johannesburg mayor, Amos Masondo, is set to co-lead the ANC in Gauteng alongside Panyaza Lesufi. In addition, Hope Papo, formerly the ANC’s provincial secretary, has been appointed coordinator of the newly established provincial task team.
Mbalula said the party’s electoral decline underscored the importance of bringing experienced leaders back into influential roles.
“The national executive committee has taken a strategic decision to reconfigure the provincial structures and reinforce leadership in a way that builds on experience while embracing new energy.”
He added that both Masondo and Papo will lend a wealth of knowledge to the Gauteng structure.
“Our leadership has endorsed comrade Panyaza to work with a veteran of the ANC, comrade Masondo, who will be focusing on organisational issues. We know that they will complement each other.”
Mbalula expressed confidence that the newly appointed provincial task team will help stabilize and revitalize the ANC’s position in Gauteng.
