When Woods resigned this week, ANC strongman Vincent Smith boasted that the ANC would come up with a new chair by the very next week. But the odds are not looking good that Smith will meet his deadline.

The position has been offered to the IFP, which, being its new prickly self, has insisted that the problems Woods raised be addressed first. Not only that but the IFP doesn't have a suitable candidate. Neither, for that matter, does the NP, which ANC insiders describe as being devoid of "leadership material". Giving the chair to the DA or UDM is completely unthinkable.

The ANC might just be forced to keep the chair for itself - and again be labelled as the party political. Shame.