ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has vowed that the ruling party will “never abandon” South Africans, despite mounting public frustration over service delivery challenges and economic hardships. His remarks come as the ANC seeks to regain trust following recent electoral setbacks and persistent governance criticisms.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Mbalula struck a defiant tone: “We will never sell out our people. We will fight for everything this country needs to work.” He emphasized the ANC’s focus on tackling economic stagnation, corruption, and inefficiency within government, while acknowledging widespread public discontent over load-shedding, unemployment, and crime.
Acknowledging Challenges, Promising Action
Mbalula conceded that South Africans are “rightfully frustrated” but insisted the ANC has both the will and a plan to deliver change. Key priorities include:
- Economic revitalization through job-creation initiatives and infrastructure investment.
- Strengthening public services to ensure broader access for marginalized communities.
- Cracking down on corruption and incompetence, with warnings that underperforming officials will face consequences.
“We are not here to placate elites or foreign interests,” he asserted, pushing back against claims that the ANC has strayed from its liberation-era principles. “Our loyalty is to the people of South Africa first.”
Skepticism from Opposition
While ANC supporters welcomed Mbalula’s pledges as a recommitment to the party’s grassroots base, opposition leaders dismissed them as recycled rhetoric.
- DA spokesperson Solly Malatsi questioned the timing: “After 30 years in power, the ANC suddenly remembers the people? South Africans need action, not speeches.”
- EFF’s Julius Malema mocked the statement: “Mbalula is a comedian. The ANC sold out long ago—now they’re just trying to delay their collapse.”
The Road Ahead
Mbalula’s speech aligns with recent government efforts to reform struggling sectors like energy and transport, but analysts remain cautious.
“Promises are easy,” said political analyst Nompumelelo Motale. “The real test is whether the ANC can finally turn its words into measurable progress. If not, voters may render their verdict in 2026.”
As pressure mounts, the ANC’s ability to translate this renewed rhetoric into tangible improvements will determine whether it can halt its declining political fortunes—or face further erosion of public trust.