In a candid and scathing critique, respected former public servant and political stalwart Mavuso Msimang has unleashed a torrent of criticism against Fikile Mbalula, branding him the “worst Secretary General” (SG) the African National Congress (ANC) has ever had. Speaking in a recent interview, Msimang’s comments have reignited long-standing debates about the leadership of South Africa’s ruling party and its trajectory under President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Msimang, revered for his forthrightness, held nothing back in assessing Mbalula’s tenure. “Mbalula has failed to live up to the expectations of the ANC and its proud legacy,” he declared. “He is, without a doubt, the worst SG in the history of the ANC.”
The “De Klerk Mandate” Controversy
The sharpest edge of Msimang’s criticism came as he accused Mbalula and Ramaphosa of executing a vision originally laid out by apartheid-era President F.W. de Klerk. Msimang argued that their governance perpetuates structures designed during the apartheid-to-democracy transition, albeit under a democratic façade.
“Fikile and Cyril have done exactly what De Klerk intended when he set out his mandate for a democratic South Africa,” Msimang asserted. “They’ve implemented it with remarkable efficiency, but instead of fighting for true freedom and justice, they’re managing the status quo. What they won’t admit is that the system they oversee is a continuation of what De Klerk envisioned.”
This provocative claim has touched a nerve within the ANC, where factions have grown increasingly critical of the party’s leadership for failing to address systemic inequality, unemployment, and corruption while pursuing policies seen as favoring corporate and elite interests.
A Divided ANC
Msimang’s remarks come at a time when the ANC is struggling to maintain its unity amid growing internal dissent. The party, which once prided itself on its revolutionary ethos, has faced criticism for shifting toward centrist policies that some argue have diluted its commitment to radical socio-economic transformation.
Critics of Ramaphosa’s administration point to the party’s handling of corruption scandals and economic challenges as evidence of leadership failure. The recent uptick in public dissatisfaction with the ANC, reflected in polling ahead of the critical 2024 elections, adds urgency to the debate about the party’s future direction.
Public Reaction
Msimang’s comments have sparked intense discussion across South Africa, with supporters and detractors voicing their opinions.
“Mavuso is spot on,” posted one social media user. “The ANC is no longer the party of liberation. It has become a party of self-enrichment and status quo preservation.”
Others defended Mbalula and Ramaphosa, arguing that leading the ANC in the current socio-political climate is no easy task. “It’s easy to criticize from the sidelines,” one commenter noted. “The ANC is doing its best to stabilize the country amidst global and domestic challenges.”
Mbalula and ANC’s Response
Fikile Mbalula has yet to issue a direct response to Msimang’s critique. However, his allies have dismissed the remarks as baseless and divisive. A senior ANC official, speaking anonymously, described Msimang’s comments as a “calculated attack to sow discontent within the party.”
The ANC has historically been adept at weathering internal criticism, but Msimang’s stature as a veteran figure in the liberation movement gives his words considerable weight.
Leadership Crisis and the Road Ahead
Msimang’s critique underscores the ideological battles within the ANC over its identity in the post-apartheid era. With the 2024 elections looming, the party faces mounting pressure to address voter disillusionment, bridge its internal divisions, and redefine its mission.
At the heart of the matter lies a critical question: Can the ANC reclaim its revolutionary roots and implement transformative policies, or will it continue to face accusations of maintaining a system that fails the majority of South Africans?
Msimang’s comments have undoubtedly added fuel to the fire, forcing the ANC to confront its past, its present, and the uncertain road ahead. Whether the party rises to the challenge or succumbs to its internal contradictions remains to be seen.
