I’ve heard enough to predict that Patrice Tlhopane Motsepe is a serious contender for the ANC presidency when it becomes vacant at the end of 2027.
This is good news for South Africa. Of the current names bandied about, his is the most inspiring. Paul Mashatile, Fikile Mbalula or Motsepe? The pick is obvious.
Of course, Motsepe wouldn’t put up his hand himself - that would be very un-ANC. His campaign will be run informally in branches, regions and provinces.
Since my colleague Andisiwe Makinana revealed on 1 May that “serious lobbying” was underway in the ANC for Motsepe to enter the leadership race, there’s been no serious trashing of the idea.
The ANC elite knows this may be their last chance to safeguard the party from further decline. Two polls have suggested a Mashatile-led ANC may achieve as little as 30% of the popular vote in the 2029 national election.
This could put them and the DA side-by-side - a nightmarish outcome for ANC loyalists dependent on the party for their bread and butter.