Internal Divisions Ahead of NEC Gathering
The African National Congress (ANC) is entering its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Thursday deeply divided over several critical issues, including the future of President Cyril Ramaphosa, recent electoral defeats, and the challenges of governing in coalition with the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg.
The NEC meeting is scheduled to take place in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni. According to insiders speaking to IOL, the party is grappling with mounting internal dissatisfaction regarding its electoral performance and the implications of its coalition relationship with the DA at the local government level.
Discussions within the ANC have been fueled by reports that President Ramaphosa offered to vacate office during recent talks with the party’s top seven leaders. An insider stated that Ramaphosa’s reported willingness to step aside has opened difficult conversations, with members demanding accountability for the party's disappointing electoral performance.
Despite these reports, ANC leaders have dismissed suggestions that Ramaphosa is preparing to resign, insisting there is no decision for him to leave office at this time.
Frustration Over Coalition with the DA
A significant source of tension within the party involves the prospect of continuing a coalition with the DA in Johannesburg. ANC insiders told IOL that there is "growing frustration" among members in Gauteng over this arrangement.
One insider described the situation as a "serious pain to work with the DA," questioning why the ANC should continue entering arrangements with a party whose approach at the national level has created significant tension. Another member warned that tensions from the Government of National Unity (GNU) could be imported into local government, stating that Johannesburg should not become another political battleground.
Discontent was further exacerbated by the DA’s decision to take the ANC to the Constitutional Court over the party's failure to submit proportional representation candidate lists within the prescribed deadline. The court ruled in favor of the ANC, allowing candidates to be reinstated.
An insider noted that the DA’s legal action raised questions about the partnership, stating, "We are supposed to be government partners, yet when an opportunity arose, they chose confrontation." During these proceedings, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula collapsed in court.
Electoral Performance and Declining Support
The internal tensions occur against a backdrop of declining support for the ANC. The party’s national vote share has fallen from 45.59% in the 2021 local government elections, contributing to the current dissatisfaction among its structures.
President Ramaphosa reportedly called for collective responsibility regarding the party's disappointing electoral performance during his discussions with top leaders. However, the combination of these losses and the friction with coalition partners has led to calls for accountability within the ANC’s ranks ahead of the NEC meeting.