South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has robustly declared that the African National Congress (ANC) will retain its grip on state power, despite coalition challenges, during the party’s 113th birthday celebrations in Cape Town.
Addressing thousands at Mandela Park stadium in Khayelitsha, President Ramaphosa dismissed any notion that “splinter parties” could disrupt the ANC’s longstanding dominance. “State power will always be in the hands of the ANC,” he asserted, in what was the first anniversary celebration under a government of national unity (GNU) alongside the Democratic Alliance (DA) and other partners.
Ramaphosa described the opposition’s attempts to weaken the ANC as mere “dreams”. He argued that these parties, often presenting themselves as more radical, ultimately share objectives with those opposing the ANC’s transformative policies. “They will never weaken the ANC,” he emphasized, underlining that the party’s leadership in the nation remains unchallenged, with the president and a majority of ministers drawn from ANC ranks.
“The president of the country is ANC, the majority of government ministers are from the ANC, this means that we are still leading regardless of the electoral results,” Ramaphosa stated, reflecting on the ANC’s position post-election where it did not secure a majority but continues to steer the government.
He outlined the ANC’s ongoing commitment to economic growth, bolstering the economy to foster wealth and employment for all citizens, improving service delivery, enhancing the quality, integrity, responsiveness, and accountability of government services, and party rejuvenation, renewing the ANC to ensure it can provide ethical leadership in addressing national challenges and achieving the vision set out in the Freedom Charter.
Ramaphosa’s message was clear: despite the political landscape’s shift towards coalition governance, the ANC’s resolve to lead and govern remains strong. He concluded by expressing confidence that the ANC would come back stronger and independently in future elections, showcasing the party’s resilience and determination to maintain its historical role in South African politics.
This declaration comes at a critical juncture for South African politics, with many observers watching how the dynamics within the GNU will evolve and whether the ANC can truly navigate these new waters while maintaining its traditional influence.
