President Cyril Ramaphosa has delivered a frank and sobering assessment of the African National Congress (ANC)’s standing with the South African public, admitting that the party is facing an uphill battle to rebuild trust ahead of the 2025 local government elections.
Speaking during an induction session of the ANC Northern Cape Provincial Executive Committee on 16 May, Ramaphosa underscored the urgency of reconnecting with disillusioned communities and addressing the root causes of voter dissatisfaction.
📉 From Majority to Coalition
Ramaphosa’s remarks follow the ANC’s historic loss of its parliamentary majority in the 2024 general election, where its support dropped to 40%, forcing the party into a coalition government for the first time since democracy was established in 1994.
He acknowledged that persistent failures in service delivery, rising unemployment, entrenched poverty, and a series of corruption scandals have eroded public confidence in the ANC.
“Our people are frustrated—not just by broken promises, but by the sense that they are not being heard,” Ramaphosa said.
🛠️ A Call for Integrity and Community Focus
The President urged ANC branch leaders to become visible, accountable, and grounded in their communities, calling for a shift away from patronage and cadre deployment in favour of qualified, competent governance.
“The road to renewal starts with accountability and genuine service to the people,” Ramaphosa declared.
“We cannot regain the people’s trust by recycling the very practices that broke it.”
⚠️ No Tolerance for Nepotism
In a sharp rebuke of past practices, Ramaphosa issued a stern warning against the appointment of unqualified individuals to government positions, emphasizing that such actions further damage the party’s credibility and alienate the very people it seeks to serve.
🔄 Renewal or Rejection?
With the clock ticking toward the 2025 municipal elections, Ramaphosa’s candid admission signals a pivotal moment for the ANC. The ruling party now faces a choice: reform from within—or risk being rejected outright by an electorate hungry for change.
🗣️ Will words turn into action, or has the ANC’s renewal come too late? The next 12 months may decide the future of South Africa’s oldest liberation movement.
