President Cyril Ramaphosa has delivered a stark warning to his African National Congress party, saying it must address its failures in governance and service delivery or risk further decline as municipal elections approach.
Speaking at a half-empty stadium in the North West province during the ANC’s 114th anniversary rally, Ramaphosa listed ongoing challenges—dysfunctional municipalities, unemployment, crime, and poor service delivery – that have eroded public trust.
“Our own weaknesses and failures in service delivery, governance, the slow pace of economic growth and high levels of unemployment have demoralised and alienated many individuals and communities,” he stated. “We cannot blame our people if they question whether our democracy, our Constitution, our economy and indeed the ANC and the alliance really work for them.”
The address comes as the ANC faces declining support, having lost its national majority in the 2024 elections and now governing in a coalition. Recent opinion polls suggest it could lose control of key metros like Johannesburg.
Ramaphosa pointed to some government successes, such as the end of prolonged power cuts and planned infrastructure investments, but stressed that party renewal is urgent.
“We must understand we either renew the ANC and the alliance or we perish,” he said.
He also dismissed white genocide allegations promoted by fringe groups and former U.S. President Donald Trump, labeling them an attempt to attract global racist sympathy.