Mbalula Demands Political Education Before ANC Conferences

ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula.

The ANC supporters are looking forward to electing their preferred candidates countrywide to see who will emerge triumphant after their much anticipated regional and provincial elective conferences however the ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula has stopped all conferences of the former ruling party country until ANC members attend a political education foundation course.

Mbalula confirmed this after sending a letter to various provinces countrywide saying that the ANC has decided a precondition for holding a conference at regions and provinces which might cause a delay to those who were already preparing their conferences.

This decision was taken barely two months after Kwa-Zulu Natal and Gauteng provinces ANC leadership were disbanded and subjected to a reconfiguration which ousted prominent provincial secretaries Bhekinkosi Mtolo of KZN and Thembinkosi Nciza from Gauteng.

In a letter dated March 19, 2025 Mbalula said: “This serves to reiterate the importance of all structures to undergo the foundation course as part of the organisational renewal agenda.”

Mbalula warned that no structure must convene conferences unless they have undergone the foundation course. 

“The foundation course seeks, through capable cadreship among all members and leaders, to build strong organisational structures geared towards implementing organisational programmes that would fulfil the aims and objectives of the national democratic revolution,” Mbalula wrote. 

Various regions are expected to hold conferences this year. In Limpopo, the Peter Mokaba region is expected to hold its conference in April, where former Regional Chairperson of Peter Mokaba and Convenor and Polokwane John Mpe will be seeking re-election for the third term but will be contested by ANC Women’s League Provincial Chairperson and Capricorn District Municipality Executive Mayor Mamedupi Teffo.  Other regional conferences of the ANC countrywide will also elect their new leaderships.

Veteran leader, ex ANC Deputy President, former ANC SG and former SA President Kgalema Motlanthe is the Chairperson of the OR Tambo School of Leadership which aims to empower ANC membership and enhance their political activism and understanding.