Didiza emerges as surprise contender for ANC presidency with Ramaphosa backing

Thoko Didiza has emerged as a surprise contender for the ANC’s top job, shaking up the party’s succession landscape ahead of its 2027 national conference. The National Assembly Speaker has officially confirmed her intention to run for the presidency, a move insiders say has the backing of President Cyril Ramaphosa and ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe.

Her entry disrupts what had appeared to be a predictable contest between familiar heavyweights such as deputy president Paul Mashatile and secretary-general Fikile Mbalula. Instead, Didiza’s candidacy introduces a fresh dynamic that could redraw alliances across the party’s factions.

Though she enjoys strong support among some senior leaders, concerns remain about her ability to secure broad provincial backing, a critical factor in the ANC’s delegate-driven voting process. Several senior figures privately argue that despite her national stature, she may struggle to mobilise the numbers needed to compete with candidates who command deep-rooted provincial structures.

Supporters counter that her candidacy represents a meaningful step towards renewal. As a woman with long-standing experience in government and Parliament, they say Didiza embodies the type of leadership shift many branches have been calling for. Her track record as a minister and later as Speaker positions her as a credible figure capable of stabilising the party during a period of internal uncertainty.

Analysts note that her entry reflects broader anxieties within the ANC, which faces declining public trust and a demanding election cycle ahead. With the 2026 local government elections on the horizon, the party is under pressure to present a leadership slate capable of restoring confidence.