Mashatile Emerges as Possible Ramaphosa Successor
Deputy President Paul Mashatile is increasingly named as a potential ANC leader ahead of the party's 2027 national elective conference.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Elections
Deputy President Paul Mashatile is increasingly mentioned as a potential successor to President Cyril Ramaphosa in ANC leadership. He held meetings with three KwaZulu-Natal branch executive committees in March 2026, though he has not officially declared his intention to run for the ANC presidency.
Why it matters
The ANC is preparing for its 2027 national elective conference, where leadership succession will be decided. The ANC does not comment on internal succession discussions, so the party's direction remains uncertain.
Paul Mashatile was appointed Deputy President in March 2023 and previously served as Gauteng Premier between 2008 and 2009. The ANC's 2027 national elective conference will determine the next leadership, and Mashatile has not yet confirmed whether he will stand.
The players
Paul Mashatile
South Africa's Deputy President since March 2023, who previously served as Gauteng Premier and is now mentioned as a possible successor to Cyril Ramaphosa.
African National Congress (ANC)
South Africa's governing party, which is preparing for its 2027 national elective conference where its next leadership will be chosen.
Cyril Ramaphosa
South Africa's President and leader of the ANC, whose eventual successor in party leadership is the subject of current speculation.
Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri
ANC spokesperson who said the party does not comment on internal succession discussions.
The details
Mashatile has spent the past eight months strengthening political support structures in different provinces, according to reporting. His camp describes his activities as ordinary deputy presidential outreach, while ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the party does not comment on internal succession discussions.
Timeline
March 2023: Mashatile appointed Deputy President by Ramaphosa.
2008 to 2009: Mashatile served as Gauteng Premier.
March 2026: Meetings held with three KwaZulu-Natal branch executive committees.
April 2026: OR Tambo birthday memorial incident involving an ANC Women's League delegate.
2027: ANC national elective conference.
Season Trajectory
The current positioning mirrors the succession dynamics that shaped Cyril Ramaphosa's rise to ANC leadership at the 2017 Nasrec conference. As the 2027 elective conference approaches, attention is likely to stay on Mashatile and other potential contenders.
The outcome of the ANC leadership contest will shape the party's direction in government and influence policy priorities. Voters and party members should watch the 2027 conference for formal candidacy declarations.
The takeaway
Leadership succession within the ANC remains unsettled ahead of 2027, and Mashatile's formal candidacy, if it comes, would be the clearest signal of how the contest will unfold.
What happens next
The ANC's 2027 national elective conference is the next key moment in the succession process, when the party's leadership will be determined.
Further reading
For broader context on the country's leadership contests, see Elections coverage in South Africa.
