Patrice Motsepe: A Possible Unity Candidate for the ANC’s 2027 Leadership Race
Why Motsepe Is Getting Attention
Billionaire businessman Patrice Motsepe has started to appear in discussions about who might lead the African National Congress (ANC) after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s term. Although Motsepe says he is not seeking the ANC presidency, a growing group of supporters—dubbed the “PM27 campaign”—is promoting him as a potential successor. The campaign says it will formally begin its push once the ANC’s nomination process opens, and it is first focusing on how the party performs in the 2026 local government elections.
What the Polls Show
Recent surveys have added fuel to the speculation. A Social Research Foundation poll reported by IOL placed Motsepe five percentage points ahead of Deputy President Paul Mashatile among the general public in a hypothetical ANC‑presidential race. Among ANC voters, Secretary‑General Fikile Mbalula led Mashatile by 15 %. A later News24 poll again showed Motsepe as the top choice for both the wider electorate and ANC supporters in a theoretical contest to succeed Ramaphosa.
The ANC’s Internal Rules
The ANC warns members against early campaigning for leadership positions. The party’s selection process relies heavily on branch nominations, provincial structures, and liberation‑movement credentials—not just public popularity. Political analyst Professor Theo Neethling from the University of the Free State notes that while Motsepe enjoys high favourability in polls, winning the ANC presidency requires navigating internal party mechanics, which favour career politicians with deep organisational ties.
Motsepe’s Strengths and Weaknesses
- Strengths: Motsepe’s success as a mining magnate and philanthropist gives him a clean, competent image. He appeals to the black middle class and business community, and his family connection to Ramaphosa provides him with access to the ANC establishment.
- Weaknesses: He has no experience running a government bureaucracy or managing coalition politics. Critics could portray him as a beneficiary of Black Economic Empowerment patronage, and his lack of a liberation‑struggle background may limit his credibility among traditional ANC cadres.
Local Elections as a Barometer
The ANC’s performance in the 2026 local elections—especially in major metros like Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, and Johannesburg—will shape the political climate for the 2027 leadership contest. Analysts expect the Democratic Alliance (DA) to remain strong in Tshwane, while Ekurhuleni could become a battleground involving the DA, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and smaller parties linked to figures such as Herman Mashaba and Mmusi Maimane. The EFF appears to be losing momentum, partly due to internal debates over its “Abahambe” campaign and legal troubles surrounding Julius Malema.
Conclusion
Patrice Motsepe’s rising poll numbers make him a notable figure in the conversation about the ANC’s future leadership. His business success and relatively untainted image attract broad public support, but the ANC’s internal selection process favours candidates with deep party experience and liberation credentials. Unless Motsepe can bridge that gap—perhaps by building alliances within the party’s structures—his chances of becoming the ANC president remain uncertain, even if he continues to be viewed as a viable unity candidate by many voters.
