ANC of Ramaphosa begs Jacob Zuma, other defectors to return

With the next local government elections looming, African National Congress (ANC) chairperson in Mpumalanga Mandla Ndlovu has called on party members to keep the door open for political defectors, including uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party president Jacob Zuma, to return to the ANC.

Ndlovu delivered the message on Women's Day while campaigning in one of Mpumalanga's closely contested constituencies, where the MK Party and Julius Malema's Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have made significant gains, partly by drawing support from former ANC leaders.

His approach echoes that of the late former Mpumalanga premier David "DD" Mabuza, who was known for pursuing reconciliation with political rivals and defectors rather than driving them further away.

For Ndlovu, the strategy appears to be driven as much by electoral realities as by political reconciliation.

The ANC entered the 2021 local government elections as the dominant political force in Mpumalanga, securing about 59% of the vote. However, it failed to win outright majorities in Steve Tshwete, Govan Mbeki and Lekwa municipalities, while the EFF continued to establish itself as a significant provincial competitor.

The setback became more pronounced during the May 2024 provincial elections. The ANC's support fell to 51.15%, bringing the party closer to losing the outright provincial majority it has maintained since 1994.

The MK Party, led by former ANC president Zuma, made an immediate impact. Despite having been established only months earlier, the party secured 16.97% of the provincial vote, making it the official opposition in Mpumalanga. The EFF finished third with 13.87%.

'Those who have left will come back one day'

Against that backdrop, Ndlovu has adopted a conciliatory message towards former ANC members who have joined rival parties.

"Those who have left will come back one day. Our responsibility is to remain patient, continue working amongst our people and keep strengthening the ANC as the organisation of the people," Ndlovu said.

He specifically invoked former ANC heavyweight Ngrayi Ngwenya, telling supporters to pass on his message that his political name was "Hamba Uzobuya" — meaning "Leave, you will come back".

Ngwenya was once a powerful ANC figure in the Nkomazi region before being suspended by ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula after publicly supporting Zuma during one of the former president's court battles.

The suspension reportedly damaged Ngwenya's relationship with the ANC. He had previously played a significant role in Mabuza's political and electoral machinery in Nkomazi.

Ngwenya subsequently became involved in the rise of the EFF in the area, helping young activist Mafia Fane secure election as the first EFF ward councillor in South Africa following a late-night constituency meeting in Ward 11, KaHhoyi Village, in November 2021.

The by-election followed the ANC's removal of its ward councillor after the councillor defied a caucus instruction over the re-election of mayor Johan Mkhatshwa.

Mkhatshwa and other ANC figures were later expelled by the party's national executive committee in 2022. They subsequently emerged as part of Zuma's MK Party machinery in Nkomazi, further weakening the ANC's position in an area where the party had previously exercised considerable influence.

Ndlovu extended the same message to Mkhatshwa and Zuma.

"When you see Johan Mkhatshwa, let him also know that Ndlovu says, 'Your name is Hamba Uzobuya.' Msholozi himself, his name is Hamba Uzobuya. This is your home," he said.

Turning to unity

Ndlovu's overtures form part of a broader strategy to rebuild divided ANC structures by reconnecting with former government officials and political heavyweights who continue to command influence in their communities.

Rather than pursuing a "divide-and-conquer" approach, Ndlovu appears to be reviving elements of Mabuza's philosophy of political reconciliation and unity.

In June, Sunday World reported that Ndlovu had enlisted former ANC treasurer and former Mpumalanga premier Dr Mathews Phosa in an effort to attract billions of rands in investment to the province.

Phosa, a veteran businessman with extensive local and international networks, reportedly committed to helping unlock investment opportunities in tourism, technology and infrastructure.

The move followed years in which Phosa retained influence and respect in other ANC provinces despite becoming less prominent within his home province.

Ndlovu's administration subsequently appointed seven former Mpumalanga MECs and ANC political heavyweights to the boards of two provincial agencies — the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) and the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA).

The appointments represented an unusual effort to bring experienced former political leaders back into the provincial administration.

Former deputy tourism minister Fish Mahlalela was appointed chairperson of the MTPA board, while former health MEC Jabulani Mahlangu was named chairperson of the MEGA board.

They were joined across the two entities by former MECs Mohita Latchminarain, Norah Mahlangu, Busisiwe Paulina Shiba, Sipho William Lubisi and Jacques Modipane.

The strategy reflects the political dilemma confronting the ANC in Mpumalanga: whether to continue treating defectors as adversaries or attempt to rebuild bridges with figures whose political networks could influence the outcome of the next election.

For Ndlovu, the answer appears increasingly clear — keep the door open and hope that those who left eventually find their way back home.