Fikile Mbalula Responds to Naledi Pandor’s Criticism of the ANC Leadership

• The African National Congress's Secretary General, Fikile Mbalula, weighed in on the statements of party stalwart Naledi Pandor
• This was after Pandor spoke about the party's leadership when she delivered the Gertrude Sharpe Memorial Lecture
• Mbalula said that Naledi Pandor cannot be lumped in with Senzo Mchunu and Dr Malusi Gigaba, who recently criticized the party

With over seven years at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News, Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist, offered insights into South African politics, national, provincial, and local governance, the Government of National Unity, political parties, and Parliament.

LUTHULU HOUSE, JOHANNESBURG — The African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, responded on 26 August 2025 to the statements part stalwart Naledi Pandor made about the party's leadership.

Mbalula spoke at the Chief Luthuli House in Johannesburg, Gauteng, during a press briefing where the party addressed the current political landscape. Mbalula slammed journalists who asked questions about what steps would be taken against party members Senzo Mchunu and Dr Malusi Gigaba, who were recently slammed for the statements they made against the party.

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What did Fikile Mbalula say?

He said that Pandor was reinforcing ANC policy in a public platform when she spoke about the values of what was expected of ANC members. Mbalula said what she said was correct. He said the party needs a new cadre of renewal. He disagreed with allegations that Pandor must be disciplined.

"For what? She's saying the right things that the leadership of the ANC and its veterans are expected to say and to remind us all the time that these things have to happen," he said

Mbalula said that Pandor's message was centred around staying true to the legacy of Gertrude Shope and what she stood for. He said there was nothing to reprimand and said what she said is what the party must do.

What did Pandor say?

Pandor, addressing attendees of the Gertrude Shope Memorial Lecture in Tshwane on 24 August 20325, said that the ANC has lost its former glory. She said that members of the party must not pretend that the ANC has not lost its glory. Pandor added that Shope, who died at the age of 99 in May 2022, believed that the ANC could renew itself and prevent further decline.

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Pandor also said that the ANC needed selfless leaders who must serve the people. She added that party members have forgotten that the ANC exists to serve the people and called for the party to scrutinise the leaders they affirm.

"The people are looking at us with disdain. The people are looking at us with horror and shame," she pointed out.

ANC will not drop transformative policies: Mbalula

In a related article, Briefly News reported that Mbalula said on 6 August 2025 that the party would not back down on its transformative policies. This was after the United States government threatened to sanction members of the party.

Mbalulas accused US presidentDonald Trump's administration of trying to coerce the party to do things that are anti-transformative. He said the party will not back imperialists.

Source: Briefly News