In a significant move to revitalize its structures, the African National Congress (ANC) has disbanded its Western Cape Provincial Executive Committee (PEC), replacing it with a Provincial Task Team led by former provincial chairperson Ebrahim Rasool.
The announcement was made by ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula, who stated the decision followed extensive engagements with the outgoing PEC. The newly formed task team’s primary objective is to strengthen the party in the province, where it is the official opposition.
Mbalula emphasized that the move was a “reconfiguration” rather than a punitive dissolution of the previous leadership.
“We have not taken a drastic decision to dissolve anyone. We have reconfigured the leadership and strengthened the leadership, brought into its ranks other comrades and leaders who will add value to this leadership,” Mbalula said. “We have basically taken everyone, irrespective of where they stood in the last conference, to lead the ANC in this province.”
The Secretary General outlined that the immediate goal is to fortify the party’s branches in preparation for the upcoming local government elections, a critical task after the ANC in the Western Cape experienced a 9% drop in support during the 2024 national elections.
“The emphasis to our leadership here that we have assembled is that let the talk be the order of the day and leadership visibility and directing programs in the province where the ANC is an opposition is going to be important,” Mbalula stated. “Lamenting, complaining about any other matter is not going to be important.”
The choice of Rasool as convenor brings a seasoned yet controversial figure back to the forefront of the ANC’s Western Cape affairs. Rasool, a former ambassador to the United States, was recently deported from that country after he allegedly made damning remarks about the administration of then-President Donald Trump.
Mbalula confirmed that Rasool has not yet formally accepted the role due to other party responsibilities he currently holds. Should he accept, he will be joined by the outgoing PEC chairperson, JJ Chalisu, who is expected to be retained as the deputy convenor of the new Provincial Task Team.
