The African National Congress (ANC), the party in power in South Africa since 1994, is facing an “existential crisis” and must finally renew itself to survive, said Saturday in Cape Town (1,470 km from Pretoria), the South President. -African and party leader, Cyril Ramaphosa.
Mr Ramaphosa was speaking at the ANC’s Annual Statement, the party’s first since its historic defeat in the May 29, 2024 elections and the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU).
The South African political landscape was irreparably changed during the recent elections and the leader of the historic party has made it clear that the ANC must finally renew itself and reorganize its leadership, or risk perishing.
“Dissident factions will never weaken the party,” he stressed, recognizing however that the weakness of the branches of the ANC had cost dearly at the polls.
The African National Congress lost, for the first time in 30 years, its majority in Parliament, obtaining only 40% of the votes cast. Weakened during this election, the ANC was forced to form alliances with other political parties to form a coalition government.
Mr Ramaphosa also stressed that “even though state capture has destroyed the ANC from within, the party will survive splinter groups trying to steal support”.
He was mainly referring to the party newly created by former President Jacob Zuma, “uMkhonto weSizwe” (MK), which dealt a severe blow to Nelson Mandela’s party during the general elections last May.
The Head of State and President of the ANC also declared that a national dialogue must take place in the country to achieve a new socio-political consensus. “The national dialogue, initially scheduled for December 2024 and part of the coalition government’s statement of intent, must be an inclusive and transparent process,” he said.
However, some party members are reportedly not in favor of a national dialogue, as it would be seen as a reaffirmation of partnership with the Democratic Alliance (DA), still seen as the main political opponent despite being part of the new government.
Reflecting on the electoral setback suffered by the ANC in May’s polls, Ramaphosa said forming a coalition with nine other political parties has not changed the character of his party or what it seeks to achieve. accomplish.
“The Government of National Unity did not constitute a threat to the fundamental principles of the ANC,” he maintains, arguing that until it improves its results at the polls, the ANC will work with others political parties, even those with which he has fundamental differences.
With MAP
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