The African National Congress (ANC) has dismissed reports that its leader, President Cyril Ramaphosa, is under pressure to resign following the party's poor performance in the recent municipal elections in South Africa. ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu told reporters that Ramaphosa is not going anywhere and that there is no pressure on the leadership collective for him to leave. This comes after the ANC's share of the vote plummeted to about 31 percent in the elections, down from 46% in 2021.
The ANC's poor performance in the elections has led to renewed criticism of Ramaphosa's leadership. Former president Thabo Mbeki recently criticised Ramaphosa over the ANC's performance, saying it would be right for him and other ANC leaders to resign. Mbeki and Ramaphosa have been at odds for decades, with Mbeki having been chosen over Ramaphosa as Nelson Mandela's successor. Mbeki's comments were made in an interview on a local podcast.
Bhengu dismissed as a "fabrication" a report by local news website TimesLive that Ramaphosa had considered stepping down as party leader after the election drubbing. The ANC is due to elect its next leader in December 2027, when Ramaphosa will make way after two five-year terms at the helm of the party. The party's poor performance in the elections has raised questions about its future and the need for coalition negotiations to run local government in many major cities.
In the recent municipal elections, no political party secured a majority in many of the country's major cities, including Johannesburg. This means that coalitions will be needed to run local government in these areas. The ANC's share of the vote fell significantly, to about 31 percent, down from 46% at the last municipal vote in 2021. This is a new low for the once-dominant party.
The ANC's National Executive Committee is set to meet to decide on its approach to coalition negotiations. Bhengu's comments are seen as an attempt to reassure the party's members and supporters that Ramaphosa's leadership is not under threat. However, the party's poor performance in the elections has raised questions about Ramaphosa's future as leader.
Ramaphosa has been under pressure to improve the ANC's performance, particularly in the municipal elections. The party's poor showing has been attributed to various factors, including corruption and service delivery issues. The ANC has been the dominant party in South Africa since the end of apartheid, but its influence has been waning in recent years.
The ANC's leadership election in 2027 is expected to be a significant event, with several potential candidates already emerging. Ramaphosa's successor will face significant challenges in reviving the party's fortunes and restoring its dominance in South African politics. The party's poor performance in the municipal elections has raised questions about its ability to win the 2024 national elections.
Key points
- The ANC's spokesperson has denied reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa is under pressure to resign following the party's poor performance in municipal elections.
- The ANC's share of the vote fell to about 31 percent in the recent municipal elections, down from 46% in 2021.
- The party's next leader will be elected in December 2027, when Ramaphosa will step down after two five-year terms.
