Ramaphosa Consolidates Influence Over Ruling Party During NEC Lekgotla

Allies of President Cyril Ramaphosa won seats on the ANC's National Working Committee (NWC) in a clean sweep and are set to dominate the ruling party's top decision-making body, local media outlets reported this morning.

• The new NWC members were picked by the National Executive Committee (NEC), which was elected during the party conference last month and convened for its first meeting today.
• The NWC effectively runs the ANC's daily business and thus wields considerable influence over party affairs. It consists of the ANC's "Top Seven" officials and 20 members drawn from the 80-member NEC.
• The outcome of the internal election is a boost for President Ramaphosa, who just a few weeks ago seemed to be on the brink of losing his post, amid the sudden resurfacing of the Phala Phala scandal.
• The NEC elected NWC members at an ordinary meeting on Saturday, before proceeding to its annual two-day meeting (lekgotla), the final leg of the recent series of meetings held to chart the path forward for the party.
• On the agenda is the looming Cabinet reshuffle, which is expected to materialise before President Ramaphosa's State of the Nation Address on February 9. The Cabinet will hold a separate meeting later this week.
• Among the key officials expected to be replaced is Deputy President Mabuza, whose office confirmed that he had offered to resign and make room for Paul Masathile to take over, allowing for the conventional alignment of state and party roles.