Dr Patrice Motsepe's campaign for the ANC presidency could be a strategy, to see if it is possible.
Image: Karen Sandison / Independent Newspapers
Dr Patrice Motsepe's campaign for the ANC presidency has been described as as “testing the waters” exercise following his continued denial that he is in the running to replace President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2027.
Despite the denials about his emerging campaign for ANC presidency, lobbying efforts for Motsepe to potentially lead the ANC at the 2027 elective conference have gained significant public visibility, through several grassroots and digital initiatives.
The campaign, known as the ‘PM27 Savumelana’ campaign, gained public visibility through an online push and physical campaign materials that emerged earlier this year.
This was after the emergence of the pm27.org.za website as part of a campaign to position the mining billionaire and CAF President as a candidate for the ANC presidency.
The campaign also uses WhatsApp groups and social media (Instagram, Facebook) for mass mobilisation.
The website includes a dedicated funding campaign to support its activities, although the ANC noted that such fundraising operates outside official party protocols.
The party’s Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, also instructed those behind the campaign to cease public lobbying, citing a National Executive Committee (NEC) resolution that prohibits leadership contestation until the process is officially declared open.
Motsepe reportedly denied links to his ambitions to become the party's next president as “false and unfounded”.
Political analyst Professor Sipho Seepe said he does not think Motsepe intends to become the ANC’s president, adding that the ongoing campaign is “testing the waters”.
“Should the outcome be positively encouraging, nothing is preventing him from changing his mind. He could also claim that he is answering a national call,” Seepe said.
PM27 head of communications Ishmael Mnisi declined to comment further on the matter but had previously said that Motsepe’s contribution to South Africa’s transformation has extended across various spheres, including economic empowerment, job creation, philanthropy, and nation-building.
Mnisi had said that they believe that today’s challenges require leaders who are not only inspired by the legacy of the struggle but are also equipped to drive inclusive growth and renewal in a democratic South Africa.
DA federal council chair, Helen Zille last month weighed in on the prospect of a Motsepe presidency, saying the election of billionaire Motsepe to the position of ANC president would result in a smooth and non-disruptive transition of power.
“I perceive that a transition from President Ramaphosa to President Motsepe would not be disruptive; it would be a smooth process,” Zille said.
Another political analyst, Zakhele Ndlovu, said Motsepe could be using the website to gauge the interest in him becoming the party president.
“I think he's using certain people to test the waters and see if there's any hope for his PM27 campaign. If he's not interested, he would have flatly dismissed the speculation,’ he said.
According to the PM27 campaign website, Motsepe aims to tackle ANC factionalism, promote ethical governance, and restore public trust in the party.
The movement also advocates for Motsepe as a “unifying” leader who can foster economic growth, job creation, and fight corruption.
However, Ndlovu said Motsepe runs the risk of being associated with tainted ANC leaders should he contest in 2027.
manyane.manyane@inl.co.za