Lesufi tells ANC Joburg: Stop squabbling over a ‘sinking ship and save it’
Panyaza Lesufi has told ANC delegates in Johannesburg that internal battles risk sinking the party altogether unless leaders unite behind solutions to revive the movement.
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ANC Gauteng provincial co-convenor Panyaza Lesufi has urged contenders for leadership positions in the Johannesburg region to stop fighting for control of what he described as a “sinking ship” and instead focus on resolutions to revive the organisation.
Speaking on Wednesday night at the opening of the ANC Johannesburg regional elective conference, Lesufi cautioned delegates against allowing internal contests to turn ugly at a time when the party faces significant decline.
“And in this ship, this ship is sinking. It’s sinking at a faster rate,” he said.
“Instead of all of us collectively determining how to save this ship, we are squabbling amongst ourselves about who is the owner of the ship.”
“You can be the owner of the ship, but it will be at the belly of the sea. It will be a meaningless ship. And then all of us will sink.”
Lesufi, an ANC NEC member, urged delegates to prioritise the organisation over individual ambitions.
“Even if somebody has stolen your delegate, even if somebody has promised you a delegate, even if somebody said you will bring the numbers - if the numbers don’t number the African National Congress, even if the numbers don’t number, the African National Congress must number,” he said.
Lesufi, who is the Gauteng premier, stressed that delegates were not there to demonstrate the strength of individual factions but to show the strength of the ANC itself.
He said the party should focus on urgent challenges that, if ignored, would cost it public support, including corruption, unemployment, poor service delivery and illegal immigration.
“Let’s close shopfitting because our movement must be the movement that advances these areas of our people,” he said.
“If these issues are not part of our resolutions, comrades, we will remain irrelevant to our people.”
Outgoing regional chairperson Dada Morero is seeking re-election, while former deputy secretary-general Loyiso Masuku is vying for the top regional post.
Party branches are expected to elect new leaders who will guide the ANC in Johannesburg for the next three years.
If Morero loses, the party will need to decide whether he remains City of Johannesburg mayor for the rest of the local government term, which ends in November 2026.
Regional officials are set to be nominated and voted for on Thursday afternoon, with the winners expected to be announced in the evening.
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