Al-Qalam 
By Imraan Buccus
The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal has undertaken a quiet yet profound transformation, effectively staging a garage sale of its more contemporary furniture from the so-called ‘Taliban Store’ represented by former provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo and erstwhile KZN chairperson, Siboniso Duma. In their place, the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) has installed, from two and three generations ago, a provincial task team leadership slate headed by veteran politician Mike Mabuyakhulu.
This makeover also includes seasoned figures such as Jeff Radebe and Thoko Didiza, signalling a return to an era of more measured, traditional leadership.
A key element of this radical intervention spearheaded by Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has been the introduction of political education classes led by, among others, ANC stalwart Mac Maharaj. At face value, the move is intended to restore ideological clarity and discipline within the party, reinforcing its historical principles at a time of deep internal reflection. But the burning question remains: is this reinvention simply too little, too late? A cynical view is that the shake-up is Mbalula kick-starting his campaign for the ANC presidency by removing people with suspect loyalties, including MKP sleeper cells.
The rocky political terrain in KwaZulu-Natal has shifted dramatically in recent months. The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has surged to prominence, reclaiming its position as the lead party in the provincial government.
Under Premier Thami Ntuli, the party has seized the reins of government with gusto, tidying up uncomfortable loose ends that the ANC has historically kicked for touch.
The IFP has also rolled out a strategy to charm the province’s Indian community which has since 1994 shown that it has tremendous swing potential in both provincial and local government elections.
The Taliban faction has been oblivious to the strategic political and funding value of this community, unceremoniously cutting out ANC diehards like Ravi Pillay and Logie Naidoo from any significant party or government roles.
A few days ago, IFP MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture, Mntomuhle Khawula, handed over the beachfront site for the construction of the Indian indenture sculpture first mooted in 2010 to honour plantation workers shipped from India under the British colonial regime between 1860 and 1911. Under the ANC, the project never got off the ground as factions in the Indian community pulled in different directions. Ntuli gave an ear to the obstructionists and then firmly made the decision that the project would proceed without further delay.
Meanwhile, Jacob Zuma’s private army in uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, despite its internal power struggles, is positioning itself for the 2026 local government elections. With eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality—a tempting piggy bank and long-time ANC stronghold—firmly in its sights, the MK Party sees itself as the lead contender in the fight to control municipal resources and stamp its authority on the province.
The ANC’s decision to revert to more experienced leadership is a tacit acknowledgement of past missteps and the need for a steady hand. However, the move may also signal an implicit admission that the Mtolo-Duma coterie had alienated significant portions of the membership and electorate. Whether this rearranging of house will be enough to regain lost ground remains uncertain, particularly given the ANC’s fast dissipating support base.
The IFP’s resurgence is not just a temporary shift—it represents a broader realignment of political loyalties in KwaZulu-Natal. The party has successfully leveraged its historical support base while capitalizing on disillusionment with the ANC’s conduct.
The MK Party, for all its internal disarray, has tapped into populist sentiment and nostalgia for Zuma’s brand of leadership, drawing growing support from disenchanted ANC supporters. The halls of the ANC provincial office at Pixley kaIsaka Seme House and its regional structures are constantly thick with intrigue that batches are just waiting for Zuma’s call to publicly switch allegiances.
Given these realities, the ANC’s latest course correction may be viewed as a desperate attempt to restore credibility and unity within its ranks. However, the party faces a daunting challenge in convincing the electorate that this makeover is more than just a cosmetic exercise. With the IFP tightening its grip on the provincial government and the MK Party eyeing local government control, the ANC’s hold on KwaZulu-Natal is more precarious than ever.
As the 2026 local government elections loom, the question for the ANC is not just whether it can reclaim lost ground, but whether it can remain a relevant force in the province at all.
Dr Imraan Buccus is a senior research associate at ASRI and a research fellow at the University of the Free State.
