Ramaphosa Calls for ANC Renewal Amid Declining Support

President Cyril Ramaphosa has attributed the ANC’s electoral decline to weaknesses within its branches, emphasizing the urgent need for the party to reinvent itself.

Speaking at the ANC’s 113th birthday celebrations in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, Ramaphosa called for a revitalization of party structures to prevent the organization from fading into political obscurity.

“Strong ANC branches are essential for our survival,” Ramaphosa said, describing them as “centres of development” that must engage communities, address grievances, and drive change.

Ramaphosa underscored the importance of accountability, promising that party members involved in corruption or factionalism would be expelled. “The criminals, the corrupt, the careerists, extortionists, and factionalists have no place in the ANC,” he warned.

He also called for unity within the ANC-led tripartite alliance, despite recent strains. The absence of key alliance figures, including SACP general secretary Solly Mapaila and chairperson Blade Nzimande, was notable. Mapaila attended the inauguration of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, while Nzimande was in KwaZulu-Natal.

The ANC’s national executive committee (NEC) met earlier this week to finalize the January 8 statement, which aims to reposition the party following significant losses in the May 2024 elections. The statement seeks to outline the ANC’s role in a rapidly evolving political landscape.

NEC members debated whether to highlight the government of national unity (GNU), with some viewing it as a demonstration of the ANC’s unifying strength, while others, such as former Ekurhuleni mayor Mzwandile Masina, felt it could undermine the party’s independence.

Ramaphosa also addressed tensions with the SACP, which plans to contest the 2026 elections independently. The SACP expressed discontent over the ANC’s decision to collaborate with the DA to form a GNU.

Despite these challenges, Ramaphosa remains focused on advancing the national democratic revolution (NDR). “To achieve meaningful change, we need strong organization, ongoing mass mobilization, and unity among progressive forces,” he stated.

The ANC faces mounting pressure to reinvent itself and restore public trust as it navigates the challenges of a shifting political landscape.

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