With the party’s 2027 national conference still two years away, senior leaders including Deputy President Paul Mashatile, National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza, Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa are being touted as possible successors to President Cyril Ramaphosa. While the ANC insists there is no leadership contest, speculation is dominating discussions at the party’s National General Council meeting in Ekurhuleni, where officials were reviewing the organisation’s performance. We speak to Political analyst Thobani Zikalala.