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ANC Dismisses Claims of Tensions Between Ramaphosa and Mbeki Amid National Convention Dispute
By Globalza
The ANC has rejected claims of tensions between President Cyril Ramaphosa and former president Thabo Mbeki after the Thabo Mbeki Foundation declined to attend the first National Convention over budget concerns.
ANC Dismisses Claims of Tensions Between Ramaphosa and Mbeki Amid National Convention Dispute
The African National Congress (ANC) has dismissed claims of any political rift between President Cyril Ramaphosa and former president Thabo Mbeki, following reports that the Thabo Mbeki Foundation declined an invitation to attend the first National Convention.
According to the party, Mbeki’s decision was not rooted in personal or political differences with Ramaphosa but rather concerns over the event’s multi-million-rand budget. The inaugural convention, part of the National Dialogue process, has already drawn public scrutiny after several key figures and organisations opted out.
ANC spokespersons maintain that the two leaders enjoy a cordial relationship and meet from time to time, including recently at a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. “There is no rivalry between the two presidents, certainly not at a political level,” an ANC representative said, stressing that their interactions remain respectful and constructive.
The spokesperson also clarified that some legacy foundations, including the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, have not entirely withdrawn from the National Dialogue process. Instead, they stepped back from the preparatory committee for this particular convention. “Work is being done to encourage these foundations to rejoin the broader process,” the ANC added.
The first National Convention is set to be hosted at UNISA’s main campus in Pretoria, amid ongoing questions about its funding and the absence of some high-profile stakeholders.
