ANC activists in Gauteng are scrambling to stop a looming internal showdown between finance MEC Lebogang Maile and music executive-turned-politician Thembinkosi “TK” Nciza that threatens to fracture the dominant bloc in the province ahead of its next conference.
What was meant to be a managed succession for the powerful position of provincial secretary has instead turned into a high-stakes standoff between long-time allies now mobilising against each other – a contest insiders warn that could split their shared support base and create a strategic opening for rival factions.
Behind the scenes, lobbyists aligned with both camps are working to broker a last-minute deal to prevent a bruising vote between the two men, who, until recently, ran on the same slate and remain politically tied to Gauteng ANC chair and Premier Panyaza Lesufi.
But with both Maile and Nciza now mobilising their branches and refusing to step aside, mediation efforts have intensified amid fears that a direct clash could destabilise Lesufi’s camp and reshape the balance of power in the province.
At the previous provincial conference in 2022, Nciza and Maile had run under the same slate, with the latter contesting for provincial chairperson while the former ran for provincial secretary. Maile lost to Lesufi, while Nciza emerged victorious against Thulani Kunene.
After this conference, although Maile lost, he and Nciza decided to work together with Lesufi, with whom they worked together until the provincial executive committee (PEC) was disbanded last year.
The duo have, however, after a disbandment of the PEC following poor national and provincial results, decided to plot their political futures individually.
Those in the know have whispered that Nciza, after he was ejected as provincial secretary during the disbandment, felt isolated as the likes of Maile and Lesufi continued reaping the rewards of being finance MEC and premier, respectively.
Consequently, our insiders in lobby groups and ongoing caucuses said this was the main reason Nciza would not make way for Maile to become provincial secretary. The decision has been made for each candidate to personally mobilise support.
However, the ongoing concern is that Nciza and Maile may contest individually, potentially splitting the vote and giving their known opponents a strategic advantage.
In this regard, Ezra Letsoalo from the Tshwane region would benefit, as he is tipped to run for the same post under the slate of Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Relehoko, who is gearing up to take on Lesufi for provincial chair.
Nciza and Maile will both run under Lesufi. The former is said to have a strong footing in Johannesburg, where his protégé, Sasabona Manganye, is the regional secretary, while he also has a solid base in his home region, Ekurhuleni.
Optimists believe the contest will be avoided in the end, even if it is at the door of the provincial conference. Some have said only Lesufi can resolve the impasse by choosing his preference between the two men.
“I am sure they will resolve it in the end; it is just a misunderstanding for now and also because Lebogang (Maile) never told Thikzo (Nciza) that this was his plan,” said the senior ANC leader in Gauteng.
Another mediation team insider said negotiations were ongoing to get Nciza and Maile to sit around the table and have the uncomfortable conversation to agree on who will stand.
“At some point they will engage. Now we are dealing with an issue of egos, but we shall overcome, but both men are stubborn. We cannot afford to confuse branches, which are already asking questions.”
Some within the Nciza and Maile core believe trying to manage the matter from the top might prove costly, suggesting that it be their “forces on the ground” who decide.
This perspective suggests that both men should campaign separately, and the one who garners the most support leads, with all forces aligning behind a single mandate.
“Eventually they will have to consolidate against Ezra; there are no two ways about it. Hopefully that happens when there is still time.”
Nciza and Maile refused to comment.
