Cape Town – ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has apologised to billionaire Patrice Motsepe for previous remarks suggesting Motsepe had ambitions to become ANC president.
Mbalula clarified that he was only conveying the ANC NEC’s decision to avoid discussing succession battles before next year’s elections.
“When I spoke about Patrice Motsepe, people said I was fighting with him…No, I’m not fighting with him.
“If I spoke badly, I withdraw those words, because Motsepe’s people fought with me telling me to stop fighting with Motsepe,” Mbalula said.
Fikile Mbalula withdrew his comments about Patrice Motsepe after being confronted by Motsepe’s associates. pic.twitter.com/4qoAIfjfp6
— PEM News ZA (@pemnewsza) October 19, 2025
“I’m not fighting with him. I was relaying NEC’s decision saying we must not speak about succession battles because we are in trouble. We must fight and win the elections and then we can speak about it.”
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula says he was confronted by Patrice Motsepe’s associates after making remarks about the businessman, prompting him to withdraw his comments. pic.twitter.com/BeWWrMu9do
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) October 18, 2025
Motsepe, speaking at the South African National Editors Forum fundraising dinner in Johannesburg, once again dismissed speculation that he might replace President Cyril Ramaphosa as ANC leader.
He reaffirmed that he has no political ambitions, joking that “I am not mad” to enter politics.
“I’ve never liked people who say that we don’t want a president who’s got kiss madoda [knock-knees]. Now, when I walk around, and I look at my knees, they are knocked all the time. So that rules me out,” Motsepe jokingly said.
“I love people who say that South Africa does not need a rich man to be president. They are so correct. Absolutely correct. Being president of a country, it’s sacrosanct. Sacrosanct. It’s holy. I love challenges. But I also know the sort of challenges I shouldn’t waste my time with.
WATCH | Billionaire mining magnate Dr Patrice Motsepe says being a president of a country like South Africa is a calling he’s not willing to accept. Early this year, rumours circulated in ANC circles that Motsepe could be persuaded to run for the ANC presidency. pic.twitter.com/2drT8e8vds
— SABC News (@SABCNews) October 18, 2025
“This country has got incredible people from whom we will choose the right leadership, including the right president. And I will, in my own humble way and with my family, make a contribution.”
He added that he prefers to contribute to the country through his business and philanthropic work rather than through politics.
Humorously referencing Mbalula’s comments comparing politics to football, Motsepe said he agrees that leading the ANC is not like running a football club, and reiterated, “I’m not mad” — a line he has used before to reject political ambitions.
Motsepe said he preferred contributing to South Africa through business and philanthropy rather than public office, urging unity and collective effort to address the country’s challenges.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
