ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers his annual '8 January' statement in Cape Town. (×)
ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday told party members deployed to the National Accord Government to use their positions to ensure service delivery and change, and to address the “dysfunctions” that needed to be corrected within the party structure. He called on people to embrace the depth of their feelings.
Prime Minister Ramaphosa called on ANC officials to “act quickly” and carry out their roles with confidence, saying now was not the time for hesitation or doubts in carrying out their duties or implementing policies.
“This movement therefore wishes that the tactical initiative gained through the formation of the ANC-led GNU will be effectively utilized to create momentum and open space for strategic progress that will benefit all South Africans. “We must ensure that,” he said.
Mr Ramaphosa made the remarks while delivering his party's statement at Mandela Park Stadium in Khayelitsha on January 8, the first time since liberation that a party president without a full parliamentary majority has made the statement. It is.
It is a tradition for the ANC to make statements in large stadiums with supporters from all over the country. However, this year the ANC held a commemoration ceremony at its local stadium in Khayelitsha and did not welcome busloads of supporters from other provinces.
Equipment at the playground was rudimentary, so the group had to provide portable toilets, water and shaded areas for those who needed shelter from the heat.
In a surprising turn of events, ANC supporters heckled South African Communist Party vice-chairman Thulas Nxesi. as he took to the stage to deliver a message of support from his party.
The supporters did so to express their dissatisfaction with the SACP's decision to participate in the 2026 local government elections as an independent party rather than contesting elections with the ANC.
Mr Ramaphosa told local residents, supporters and ANC members that the results of the May 2024 elections were characterized by the National Executive Committee as a “strategic setback” due to a loss of majority.
He said reasons for the decline in electoral numbers include economic conditions reflected in unemployment and a crisis in social reproduction, poor basic services and lack of capacity, and lack of ethical and responsive governance. said. and the ANC's organizational weaknesses and tarnished brand.
“Some of these reasons combined to lead many traditional supporters and voters to avoid voting or vote for other parties,” he said.
“The scale and depth of the electoral defeat shows that the organization has lost significant support and public trust. This may be a painful reality that is difficult for us to accept, but our healing is It lies in accepting the depth of the dysfunction in our organization, our members, and our leadership.”
Mr Ramaphosa also spoke of the importance of revamping a party that has been described by many South Africans as corrupt and uncaring.
He told the audience that of the government's six priorities this year, resolving the water crisis, fixing local government and improving the economy remain top priorities, while renewing the ANC remains the top priority. spoke.
He said the 2024 election results confirmed that the ANC was facing an existential crisis. “This is the moment when the ANC will either be reborn or die,” he said.
“We must do even more work, with greater urgency and determination. The basis of our regeneration agenda is therefore our movement's ability to fulfill its historic mission. to continue building.”
“This includes strengthening the ANC's presence in local communities through a strong ANC branch as a center of development. We will work with the public to address this.”
Mr Ramaphosa said the renewal was about improving the quality of governance and service delivery and fast-tracking fundamental socio-economic transformation, while also fixing the ANC.
He said the NEC commended the government and Eskom management for their determined efforts in dealing with the energy crisis, praising the government for resolving the long-standing load shedding issue.
He also called on the government to address load shedding and power outage issues that still affect some townships and rural communities.
