The African National Congress (ANC) in Gauteng is facing backlash after it was revealed that its provincial headquarters still displays outdated leadership portraits—including one listing Jacob Zuma as the party’s current president, despite his resignation seven years ago.
Zuma served as ANC president from 2007 to 2017 and as South Africa’s head of state from 2009 until his 2018 resignation, which came amid mounting corruption scandals and internal party pressure. Yet, the Gauteng ANC’s failure to update its official imagery has raised eyebrows, with critics questioning the party’s attention to detail and commitment to renewal.
Political analysts and opposition figures have seized on the oversight, arguing that it reflects deeper disorganization within ANC structures. “How can the public trust a party that doesn’t even keep its own records updated?” asked one critic. Others see it as a symbolic reluctance to fully move past the Zuma era, which was marred by allegations of state capture and economic mismanagement.
The ANC has yet to issue an official response, but the blunder has fueled debates about the party’s internal governance. With South Africa heading toward a critical election cycle, even small missteps can amplify public skepticism.
For a liberation movement with a proud history, experts say, maintaining accurate records isn’t just administrative—it’s essential for preserving credibility. As one commentator put it: “If the ANC can’t keep its portraits straight, what does that say about its ability to govern?”