ANC Eastern Cape Forms Provincial Working Team Ahead of Elective Conference
The African National Congress (ANC) in the Eastern Cape has announced a 39‑member Provincial Working Team to steer the province toward its next elective conference. The move follows the dissolution of the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) after its four‑year term expired in March 2025 without holding a conference, a process that was halted by allegations of irregularities at branch meetings.
Background: Why the PEC Was Dissolved
The original PEC’s mandate ended on 31 March 2025. Attempts to convene an elective conference were stalled after party members raised concerns about the conduct of preparatory meetings, prompting the provincial ANC to seek judicial intervention. The national ANC later appealed the court’s decision, but the national authority has since withdrawn from the ongoing legal proceedings, allowing the party to proceed with internal organisational steps.
According to a report by the Daily Dispatch (26 September 2025), the ANC’s secretary‑general, Fikile Mbalula, emphasized that the working team’s establishment does not constitute a disregard for the legal process, but rather fulfills the constitutional duty of the National Executive Committee to ensure provincial readiness for conference.
Formation of the Working Team
Mbalula announced the new team late on Wednesday, 25 September 2025. Most members of the dissolved PEC have been absorbed into the working team, which comprises 20 senior female and 19 male executives drawn from the province’s eight regions. The team’s composition reflects a deliberate gender balance and regional representation.
Key Appointments and Leadership Structure
The working team’s top five positions are:
- Provincial Leader: Oscar Mabuyane – former provincial chairman.
- Deputy Provincial Leader: Mlungisi Mvoko – former deputy provincial chairman.
- Task Team Coordinator: Helen Sauls‑August – former deputy provincial secretary.
- Deputy Coordinator: Nanziwe Rulashe‑Nesi – replaces former provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukayitobi, who remains on the team as an additional member.
- Provincial Fundraiser: Zolile Williams – former provincial treasurer.
These appointments retain most of the province’s senior leadership while introducing new faces to broaden the team’s perspective.
Notable Omissions and New Entrants
Several high‑profile figures were not included in the working team:
- Bukiwe Fanta, Social Development MEC.
- Thandekile Sabisa, OR Tambo Region MEC.
- Lulama Ngcukayitobi, former provincial secretary (now an additional member with reduced influence).
Conversely, the team welcomes newcomers such as:
- Nonkosi Pepping – Mayor of Ingquza Hill Municipality.
- Xolile Nkompela – former OR Tambo regional chairman.
- Mlibo Qoboshiyane – former Bhisho deputy speaker of parliament, returning after several years away from active provincial leadership.
Legal and Procedural Context
In a letter addressed to the provincial leadership, Mbalula instructed that the orderly handover of provincial affairs to the working team be completed within 14 days, guided by a handover protocol to be issued by the Office of the Secretary‑General. He affirmed that all ANC structures in the Eastern Cape will now place themselves under the political and organisational leadership of the working team.
The letter also reiterated the ANC’s respect for judicial authority:
“The ANC respects the authority of the courts… and complies fully and faithfully with every operational order.”
All rights, defences, and remedies related to the pending legal proceedings remain expressly reserved.
Full List of Working Team Members
Beyond the leadership positions outlined above, the working team includes the following members:
- Clara Yekiso
- Avela Mjajubana
- Yanga Zicina
- Nqabisa Gantsho
- Loyiso Maggshela
- Lindelwa Dunjwa
- Lindiwe Gunuza
- Monica Qaba
- Siphokazi Mani‑Lusithi
- Virginia Camelio Benjamin
- Balungile Sapo
- Readile Gade
- Xixolile Mehlomakhulu
- Nokqubela Pieters
- Sindile Toni
- Nozibele Nyalambisa
- Thokozile Sokanyile
- Nothuthelo Maqubela
- Mthetheli Sam
- Nomhle Sango
- Siyabulela Zangka
- Mpumelelo Khuzwayo
- Mncedisi Nontsele
- Xolile Nkompela
- Wongama Gela
- Nomamfengu Siyo‑Sokutu
- Daniswa Mafumbatha
- Nozandile Mhlola
- Mawethu Rune
- Nonceba Kontsiwe
- Xolile Ntha
The ANC Women’s League, ANC Youth League, and ANC Veterans’ League provincial chairs and secretaries will serve as ex officio members of the working team, ensuring alignment with the movement’s broader structures.
Next Steps
With the working team now in place, the Eastern Cape ANC aims to finalize preparations for the elective conference, address outstanding concerns raised by party members, and comply with any forthcoming court directives. Political analysts suggest that the inclusive composition and clear procedural timelines may help restore confidence ahead of the conference, which is expected to shape the province’s leadership trajectory for the coming years.
