ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has downplayed that he is working on the so-called Project2027, a mission to have him contest for ANC president in the next national congress.
Mbalula was speaking at the ANCYL elective congress at the Nasrec Expo Centre, south of Jozi.
According to him, many have been whispering to him that he must go for the big one in December 2027.
However, he said, he will not heed that call as it has the potential to defocus him from doing his work as Luthuli House boss.
Mbalula has been fingered to have heavily interfered with the ANCYL congress as part of his war chest and building blocks towards 2027.
The younger ANC NEC members are believed to be rallying behind Mbalula to become president of the governing party ahead of current deputy Paul Mashatile.
“Leave 2027 alone it is too far. Some comrades call me Mbalula the future with the hope that I will be President ahead of (Paul) Mashatile which is not going to happen. That must happen through the structures of the organisation.”
He went on to defend ANC incumbent president Cyril Ramaphosa saying those wishing he does not finish his term were day-dreaming.
The ANC was pleased that acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka had cleared Ramaphosa in the Phala Phala farm saga.
Mbalula also talked tough on discipline saying such will never be tolerated while he reigns supreme as the party administration head.
This after he came under harsh criticism for removing the ANCYL task team convener on the eve of the ongoing conference.
Mbalula said Nqola had it coming for defying him and doing his own things.
“Do not take it to heart comrade Xola (Nqola, these things do happen,” he said.
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