From sport to politics: Motsepe on the threshold of power in South Africa
Speculation is mounting in South Africa’s political and media circles over the potential political ambitions of the president of the Confederation of African Football.
South African billionaire businessman Patrice Motsepe, who rose to prominence in finance and business before moving into the world of football, is being mentioned in political circles as a possible candidate for the presidency of the African National Congress, the ruling party in South Africa.
Despite Motsepe’s repeated denials of any political aspirations, his recent retirement from the position of chief executive officer of African Rainbow Minerals has fueled speculation about a potential shift toward public life, particularly as he remains with the company as non-executive chairman of the board.
According to Business Insider Africa, observers suggest that stepping down from executive management may signal the beginning of a carefully planned political transition.
Political analyst Dr. Frans Cronje has argued that the timing cannot be separated from the ANC’s internal political context, suggesting that Motsepe’s executive retirement could pave the way for an organized political move.
Nevertheless, such assessments remain speculative, as Motsepe has issued no official statement or direct indication confirming any intention to run.
Growing speculation
Local media reports, including those by Newsday, have referred to internal activity within the ANC aimed at supporting a potential Motsepe candidacy, including the printing of T-shirts bearing supportive slogans and his initials.
Party sources indicate that an informal campaign is being led by some members who believe the businessman could represent a reform-oriented choice capable of restoring voter confidence.
Conversely, other analysts caution that association with a party experiencing electoral decline could pose reputational risks, warning that entering partisan politics may expose him to sharp political polarization.
If Motsepe were to become president of the ANC, he would be the first leader of the party in the democratic era without a direct history of activism against apartheid.
Former president Nelson Mandela spent years in prison, while Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma lived in exile, and current President Cyril Ramaphosa was a prominent anti-apartheid trade union leader.
The rise of a figure rooted purely in the economic sphere would therefore signal a shift in party priorities—from liberation-era legacy toward a stronger emphasis on economic management and institutional efficiency.
An economic and sporting track record
Motsepe’s professional record is distinguished. Born in Soweto in 1962, he studied and practiced law before becoming, in the early 1990s, the first Black partner at the Johannesburg-based law firm Bowman Gilfillan.
In the wake of the economic transformations that followed the end of apartheid, he founded Future Mining in 1994, and in 1997 launched ARMgold, which later evolved into African Rainbow Minerals, one of the country’s largest diversified mining companies.
Since March 12, 2021, he has served as president of the Confédération africaine de football, adding continental leadership experience that requires balancing political, economic, and sporting considerations.
Between economics and politics
Supporters of a potential candidacy view him as a business leader capable of transferring his governance and management expertise to public office, possibly advancing more assertive industrial policies to tackle unemployment and promote growth.
However, South Africa’s political landscape remains complex, shaped by liberation-era legacies, internal party balances, and societal pressures.
Until any formal announcement is made, Patrice Motsepe’s potential entry into politics will remain within the realm of speculation—seen by some as a reform opportunity and by others as a gamble that could redefine the trajectory of one of Africa’s most prominent business figures.
