Veteran African National Congress (ANC) figure Jeff Radebe has delivered a strong endorsement of Dr Patrice Motsepe for the ANC presidency ahead of the party’s highly anticipated 2027 elective conference.
Radebe, a former minister and senior ANC stalwart, said the majority of the party’s structures have already thrown their weight behind the billionaire businessman and philanthropist, citing widespread consensus at all levels of the organisation.
“Almost 90% of the ANC Branches, Regions, Provinces and even the National leadership are unanimous with the fact that Dr Patrice Motsepe is the best candidate for the position of the ANC Presidency in 2027,” Radebe said. “He should be elected unopposed.”
His remarks signal a notable moment in the build-up to the ANC’s leadership race, which is expected to shape the direction of the party—and potentially the country—for years to come.
Radebe’s comments suggest that internal momentum is rapidly consolidating around a single candidate, an unusual dynamic in an organisation historically known for fiercely contested leadership battles.
Dr Motsepe, who is currently the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the founder of African Rainbow Minerals, has long been linked with top political ambitions, although he has not officially declared his intention to run for the ANC’s highest office.
His proximity to South Africa’s political elite—he is the brother-in-law of President Cyril Ramaphosa—has further fuelled speculation about his political future.
While Radebe’s statement underscores growing support, it may also be seen as a strategic attempt to discourage rival campaigns and present Motsepe as a unifying figure amid ongoing efforts to restore internal cohesion within the party.
Should Motsepe accept the nomination, his candidacy would mark a significant shift in the ANC’s leadership tradition, bringing a prominent business leader into the top political fold.
For now, the road to 2027 remains open, but with declarations like Radebe’s, the stage appears increasingly set for Motsepe to emerge as the ANC’s presumptive candidate.
Whether the party will rally entirely around his potential bid without contest remains to be seen, but the groundwork for an unopposed campaign appears to be well under way.
