The African National Congress (ANC) is asking all its members to focus on unity and not start talking about who will lead the party in 2027. The party’s Secretary-General says these discussions could make the party weak and divided.
The leader told members that they should not sing songs about any individual except for President Cyril Ramaphosa. He wants everyone to sing one song that supports Ramaphosa as the current leader. This is meant to show that the party is together and strong.
“Comrades must not start the 2027 succession debate. Songs about individuals are discouraged. We must only sing “pula yaRamaphosa” because he is the current leader. They want the leadership and the organisation to be divided, we must not allow divisions in our organisation”.
He explained that some people might try to make the party fight over leadership. They might want the party to be split into groups that compete with each other. He says this must not happen. The ANC must stay united, focused on working for the people, and avoid unnecessary fights inside the party.
Talking too much about who might take over in 2027 could make people argue and cause problems. It could also make the party look bad to the public and distract from important work, like helping communities and preparing for elections. The leader believes that now is the time for the party to build itself up and show strength, not to think about future leadership battles.
The ANC has a long history of using songs to show support and unity. Singing is part of the culture of the party. By asking members to sing only for Ramaphosa, the leader wants to use this tradition to bring everyone together. He wants songs to inspire unity and not create competition between people who might want to lead the party later.
Some members think this is a good idea because the party needs to be calm and organized. Other people think it might stop open discussion about leadership and the future of the party. They worry that if no one can talk freely, problems might grow quietly inside the party.
The message is clear: for now, the ANC wants all its members to focus on staying united and loyal to Ramaphosa. Singing the song for him is a way to show this loyalty. The party is trying to keep everyone together and avoid fights about leadership until it is time for the next official leadership discussions.
The ANC hopes that by focusing on unity and loyalty through this song, the party can become stronger, connect better with the people, and face elections with confidence. They want members to work together, support Ramaphosa, and not let arguments about future leadership divide them.
