In a powerful reflection on the African National Congress (ANC)’s path forward, President Cyril Ramaphosa has drawn inspiration from the party’s recent visit to Robben Island, as it seeks to rebuild following its historic setback in the 2024 elections. For the first time in many years, the ANC failed to secure a majority, resulting in the formation of a Government of National Unity (GNU) at the national level. This outcome marks a dramatic shift for the party, which now faces the challenge of navigating a coalition government alongside opposition parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA).
Ramaphosa made these remarks at the ANC’s 113th anniversary celebrations, held at the Athlone Civic Centre in Cape Town, Western Cape, ahead of the January 8 Statement event in Khayelitsha. The visit to Robben Island on January 8, where ANC leaders paid tribute to the political prisoners who suffered under apartheid, served as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made in the struggle for freedom. Among those who were incarcerated at the island prison were iconic leaders such as the late former president Nelson Mandela, who spent more than 15 years there, as well as former presidents Jacob Zuma and Kgalema Motlanthe.
Ramaphosa’s visit to Robben Island was not just a symbolic gesture but an important moment of reflection for the ANC as it confronts the fallout from its electoral defeat. After cutting the cake in celebration of the party’s anniversary, the president acknowledged the tough road ahead. He noted that the ANC’s failure to win a majority in the 2024 general elections, and the subsequent need to enter into a coalition government, underscored the magnitude of the party’s challenges. In particular, the inclusion of the DA in the GNU has sparked controversy, with some within the party and its allies expressing discontent.
Solly Mapaila, general secretary of the South African Communist Party (SACP), a key partner in the tripartite alliance with the ANC and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), has been vocal in his criticism of the GNU. Mapaila and others within the SACP have argued that the coalition with the DA does not reflect the historical struggles of black South Africans and that it deviates from the ANC’s traditional principles. The SACP, in response to these tensions, has announced plans to contest the upcoming 2026 Local Government Elections independently, though it has not formally broken away from the alliance.
Despite these internal divisions, Ramaphosa emphasized that the ANC’s efforts to rebuild would be guided by the lessons learned from the experiences of those who endured imprisonment on Robben Island. He highlighted that the ANC must adopt a model of effective organization and thorough political engagement, drawing on the resilience and unity of the political prisoners who overcame immense hardship. “We learn from the experience of those who were imprisoned on Robben Island, that rebuilding a movement requires effective organization and thorough political engagement,” Ramaphosa remarked.
The president stressed that restoring the party’s lost majority would require a commitment to democratic practice, accountability, and discipline. Reflecting on the unity forged by the political prisoners, Ramaphosa underscored the importance of collaboration in the face of adversity. “The leaders and cadres who spent their time imprisoned on this island understood the vital need for unity, trust, and personal integrity,” he said, adding that they learned to work together to survive in an oppressive environment. This spirit of unity, Ramaphosa believes, must now guide the ANC’s efforts to rebuild and strengthen its political foundation.
As the ANC turns its focus inward to address its challenges, Ramaphosa also acknowledged the party’s historical legacy. “We are drawing on a wealth of experience that stretches 115 years of struggle,” he stated. While recognizing the party’s shortcomings and difficulties, he also celebrated the strength and capabilities that continue to reside within the movement. “We acknowledge our shortcomings, but we also recognize the strength and capabilities that reside in our movement,” Ramaphosa concluded, emphasizing the ANC’s potential to overcome its present struggles.
In the lead-up to the January 8 Statement event, ANC leaders have been engaged in intensive door-to-door campaigns, seeking to reconnect with voters in the Western Cape. Despite these efforts, the DA continues to hold a strong grip on the province, having governed there for years. The ANC, however, is determined to regain lost ground and rebuild its relationship with the electorate, particularly in areas where support has waned.
As the ANC navigates this challenging period, the party’s commitment to unity, discipline, and reflection on its past struggles may offer the key to its revival. The lessons learned from Robben Island, where collaboration and resilience were essential to survival, are now being invoked as the party sets out to reclaim its position and reassert its leadership in South Africa’s political landscape.
