In a candid address at the Mandela Park stadium in Khayelitsha, ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged the party’s declining fortunes in recent elections, attributing its struggles to a combination of economic hardship, rising unemployment, poor basic services, and a damaged party brand. Speaking at the ANC’s National Executive Committee’s annual January 8th statement, Ramaphosa emphasized that the party needed to engage in serious introspection and embark on a process of renewal if it hoped to restore its position as the dominant force in South African politics.
Ramaphosa’s address came in the midst of growing concerns about the ANC’s ability to retain its grip on power, especially as it approaches the 2024 general elections. The Western Cape, a province once firmly under ANC control, has now become a political battleground, with the party losing its grip over the region in recent years. The ANC’s inability to retain its dominance in key areas has raised alarms about its future, especially given its history as a powerful liberation movement that once led the charge against apartheid and was seen as the cornerstone of democratic South Africa.
“The ANC must rebuild,” Ramaphosa declared, acknowledging that the party, once a beacon of hope and unity, was now struggling to maintain its relevance in the face of mounting challenges. He spoke frankly about the need for the party to renew itself, both in terms of its internal structures and its political strategy. The ANC, he said, had suffered significant electoral setbacks, and this was partly due to the weakened state of its party structures, which had been eroded over time.
One of the key issues Ramaphosa identified was the party’s failure to address the economic challenges facing South Africans, particularly the alarming levels of unemployment and the deteriorating quality of basic services such as healthcare, education, and housing. These issues, he said, were contributing to the growing dissatisfaction among the electorate and had played a significant role in the ANC’s loss of electoral support.
Ramaphosa Reflects on ANC’s Struggles
The President also highlighted the importance of ensuring water security in the country, pointing to the ongoing challenges in providing reliable and safe access to water for all citizens. This, he stressed, was an area where the government needed to improve its delivery to maintain public trust and support. The ANC’s ability to address these fundamental issues would be critical to regaining the confidence of voters, particularly in the wake of recent service delivery failures.
The ANC’s recent struggles, Ramaphosa noted, have also been compounded by the party’s fractured alliance with its traditional partners in the labour and civil society sectors. Strengthening this alliance, he argued, was crucial for the party’s future success, particularly in light of the growing discontent among these groups. The ANC needed to repair its relationships with these key constituencies and show that it was serious about addressing their concerns if it hoped to maintain its political relevance.
Despite these challenges, Ramaphosa expressed confidence in the ANC’s ability to recover, but he emphasized that the party’s renewal project would require sustained effort and commitment. The ANC, he said, needed to rebuild its brand and restore the public’s faith in its ability to deliver on its promises. He warned that the party could no longer afford to take its political dominance for granted and must now focus on rebuilding trust and strengthening its structures at all levels.
Looking ahead, Ramaphosa confirmed that the ANC would hold its National General Council (NGC) later this year. This gathering, which occurs between the party’s national conferences, would provide an opportunity to assess the current state of the party, review the progress made on its renewal agenda, and ensure that its policies were being effectively implemented. The NGC, he noted, would be a critical moment for the ANC to reflect on its achievements and shortcomings and make the necessary adjustments to remain competitive in the lead-up to the 2024 elections.
In his closing remarks, Ramaphosa reiterated that the ANC had always been a party of the people, and it would remain focused on serving the interests of South Africa’s citizens. However, he warned that this mission could only be fulfilled if the party was willing to confront its shortcomings and embark on a process of honest self-reflection and renewal.
As the ANC approaches the critical period leading up to the 2024 elections, the party’s efforts to rebuild and reconnect with its base will be closely scrutinized. Whether it can regain its former dominance will depend on its ability to address the pressing issues facing South Africa, rebuild its internal structures, and repair its relationships with key allies. The road to recovery may be long, but for the ANC, the stakes could not be higher.
source – enca