South Africa's ANC at its 'weakest', says Ramaphosa

South Africa's ANC at its 'weakest', says Ramaphosa

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has said his party is 'at its weakest and most vulnerable since the advent of democracy'
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has said his party is 'at its weakest and most vulnerable since the advent of democracy'. Photo: PHILL MAGAKOE / AFP
Source: AFP

New feature: Check out news exactly for YOU ➡️ find “Recommended for you” block and enjoy!

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa said Friday that his ruling African National Congress party was at its "weakest", after a historic loss in municipal polls last year.

The party leader spoke as the continent's most advanced economy faces a raft of socio-economic crises.

Critics charge that the government lacks a national plan to tackle poverty, inequality and 34.5-percent unemployment worsened by the coronavirus pandemic, or even provide basic services such as electricity and water.

Support for the ANC dipped below 50 percent for the first time in local polls last November, amid growing disappointment with the party that has ruled the country for nearly three decades since the end of apartheid.

"The ANC today is at its weakest and most vulnerable since the advent of democracy," Ramaphosa told delegates at talks to map out the party's new direction in Johannesburg.

Read also

Anti-junta protests paralyse Guinea capital

The weaknesses, Ramaphosa said, "are evident in the distrust, the disillusionment, the frustration that is expressed by many people towards our movement and our government".

PAY ATTENTION: Enjoy reading our stories? Join YEN.com.gh's Telegram channel for more!

He said the party of late anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela was now a "divided movement", with rifts "driven by competition for positions and access to public resources, and patronage as well".

The cracks were resulting in "weakened governance", he said, urging delegates to come up with "clear policies", "coherent ideas" and "practical solutions".

"This is a defining moment for the ANC... but more importantly for our country," he said.

The talks are a prelude to the ANC national elective conference in December, when the party is to hold internal polls to pick a candidate for the next presidential election.

Ramaphosa is expected to seek a second five-year term, but could face a challenge from a faction of the party that is loyal to former president Jacob Zuma, who has been accused of corruption.

Read also

Senegal to elect parliament in important test for presidential vote

The three-day talks, to run until Sunday, are also expected to address graft allegations against ANC members.

A state corruption inquiry report published earlier this year named more than 200 of its members, including some senior officials.

The party is also buckling under financial woes, having struggled to pay salaries in recent months.

Dozens of party workers picketed outside the conference venue, protesting over their unpaid wages.

Ramaphosa himself is also mired in a scandal following a break-in at his game and cattle farm.

New feature: Check out news exactly for YOU ➡️ find "Recommended for you" block and enjoy!

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.