The South African National Civics Organisation (SANCO) in the North West has reconfirmed its support for the current African National Congress (ANC) deputy provincial chairperson and Premier Lazarus Mokgosi, to be elected as the next provincial chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC).
The civic movement made this public endorsement in February 2025. SANCO has pledged to campaign for Mokgosi among ANC branches ahead of the party’s provincial conference scheduled for March 2026, which is expected to elect new leadership.
SANCO has been accused of taking sides in the battle for leadership. A source has alleged that the party top five is divided into two factions, namely, the N12 and M26.
“We did not want to attend the PGC that looks like a crime scene. But we can confirm to you that Nono is supported by provincial secretary Louis Diremelo and another top 5 member: Viola Motsumi.
“Besides SANCO, Mokgosi is backed by the provincial treasurer Sello Lehari.”
Reports indicate that Mokgosi is also supported by Finance MEC Kenetswe Mosenogi as well as MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Madoda Sambatha.
Speaking at the ANC provincial general council (PGC), the SANCO national spokesperson and provincial executive committee (PEC) member, Mzukisi Jam confirmed that their endorsement for Mokgosi is on the basis of his availability for service delivery related matters.
“Our decision to endorse Premier Lazarus Mokgosi as the next ANC’s next provincial chairperson is not based on political factions, but it is on the basis of service delivery related matters. He is always available to attend to issues of service delivery. He is one of the few leaders who has an ear for service delivery issues raised by SANCO.
“Premier Mokgosi won’t solve all problems that are related to service delivery and deploying the right political leaders in our municipalities. He needs the support and proactive leadership of the provincial chairperson. Mokgosi will perform better as the political head and Premier of the province, who will take and influence decisions of deploying the right local and district mayors,” said Jam.
Earlier this year, the civic movement provincial chairperson, Tshepo Khoza indicated that they are endorsing Mokgosi as the ANC’s next provincial chairperson.
“When SANCO call you, you respected the call. Premier continues to respect our communities. Continue to make sure when there is a problem you go there and address those problems. We have seen you premier, we have seen you as SANCO and we feel at some point when the ANC is sober, because the ANC in this province is drunk now when its sober, they give you the responsibility to lead this province as the chairperson.
“Comrades that are here, they are coming from different ANC branches. We are going to speak to them that we go to the provincial conference, we are going to vote for comrade Lazzy as the provincial chair of the ANC in the province,” Khoza said.
Speaking at the ANC provincial general council (PGC) in Potchefstroom, on Sunday, 30 November 2025, the current provincial chairperson, Nono Maloyi confirmed that the party provincial elective conference will take place in March 2026, in line with a National Executive Committee (NEC) directive for all provincial conferences to conclude by that deadline.
The North West province is currently concluding Branch General Meetings (BGMs) and finalising regional conference preparations, which are scheduled for completion before December 2025.
On 18 November 2025, the party national executive committee (NEC) indicated that they have received a detailed organisational report on the state of readiness and progress for provincial and regional conferences.
“The NEC reaffirmed that all due Provincial and Regional Conferences must be concluded by March 2026.
“This decision is a strategic imperative to ensure that the ANC enters the 2026 Local Government Elections with constitutionally mandated leadership structures. This timeline is central to the renewal agenda, allowing the movement to shift its full organisational strength towards building a disciplined and election-ready machinery,” said the party in a statement.
