Key Takeaways
- The African National Congress (ANC) has concluded its fifth National General Council (NGC) after four days of deliberations.
- The central theme of the NGC was "renewal," which refers to the renewal of the organization and its membership.
- The ANC has set performance targets and is committed to tackling corruption, with the establishment of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDEC) and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).
- The party is focused on regaining lost ground in the upcoming local government elections, with a renewed emphasis on door-to-door engagement.
- Tensions between the ANC and the South African Communist Party (SACP) have increased, with the SACP resolving to contest elections independently.
- Succession talks are gaining momentum, with several leadership hopefuls emerging, including Thoko Didiza, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, and Fikile Mbalula.
Introduction to the National General Council
The National General Council (NGC) is a midterm review of the African National Congress (ANC) since the last elective conference. The last elective conference took place in 2022, and several resolutions and policies were adopted for implementation. The NGC is an opportunity for the party to assess whether these commitments have been implemented and to set new targets for the future. This year’s NGC was significant, as it marked a crucial moment in the party’s history, with the upcoming local government elections and the pending succession of key leadership positions.
The Theme of Renewal
One of the words that featured prominently throughout the NGC was "renewal." This is not a new concept for the ANC, as it dates back to 2010. Renewal refers to both the renewal of the organization and its membership. The party believes that issues such as corruption, factionalism, and ideological differences require organizational and membership renewal. The only new element adopted at this NGC is the commitment to develop a "renewal chapter," which should be adopted by 2032. The ANC has also set performance targets, which it believes are achievable. ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke about the party’s efforts to tackle corruption, citing the establishment of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDEC) and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) as examples of the party’s commitment to renewal.
Local Government Elections and Regaining Lost Ground
With local government elections coming up next year, the NGC also focused heavily on the party’s local election strategy. President Ramaphosa said that the ANC did not conduct a proper door-to-door campaign in the 2024 general elections, leading to the party losing touch with communities. The renewed strategy emphasizes returning to intimate and genuine door-to-door engagement. However, since the mid-2000s, the ANC has consistently been losing support nationally and locally, with no instance of regaining lost ground. In the last local government elections, the ANC secured about 45% of the vote, and polling suggests that the party may suffer another decline. The ANC also discussed coalitions and the Government of National Unity (GNU), with Ramaphosa raising concerns about parties within the GNU attempting to undo transformation policies such as the National Health Insurance, Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment, and the Expropriation Act.
Tensions with the SACP
Another major topic at the NGC was the ongoing impasse between the ANC and the South African Communist Party (SACP). Tensions have increased since the SACP resolved to contest elections independently. The ANC accepts that it cannot persuade the SACP to reverse its decision, as it was taken at branch level during the SACP Congress. The NGC declared that SACP members may no longer attend ANC election strategy meetings. Earlier this year, ANC First Deputy Secretary-General Nomvula Mokonyane removed SACP members from such a meeting, arguing that the two parties are competing for the same voters. This has now been formalized as policy. Questions remain about members with dual ANC-SACP membership, including senior figures like Gwede Mantashe, Buti Manamela, and Limpopo chairperson Dr. Popi Ramathupa.
Succession Talks
Finally, succession talks were a major topic at the NGC. Although the NGC is neither an elective conference nor a policy conference, it often serves as a barometer for leadership hopefuls. The NGC comprises about 1,800 delegates from across the country, the same people who will vote at the next elective conference. There have been reports that the Speaker of Parliament, Thoko Didiza, is quietly gathering support for a presidential run. Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, credited with drastically reducing load-shedding, has also begun exploring a potential senior ANC role. The ANC Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, received a lengthy standing ovation after delivering the midterm report, signaling strong support among delegates. The current ANC top seven leadership term ends in 2027, and President Cyril Ramaphosa has made it clear that he will not seek a third term. ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe has indicated that he will retire, leaving several key leadership positions vacant heading into 2027.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the ANC’s fifth National General Council was a significant event that marked a crucial moment in the party’s history. The central theme of "renewal" was prominent throughout the conference, with the party committing to develop a "renewal chapter" and set performance targets. The ANC is focused on regaining lost ground in the upcoming local government elections, with a renewed emphasis on door-to-door engagement. However, tensions with the SACP and succession talks are likely to continue, with several leadership hopefuls emerging. As the party looks to the future, it is clear that the ANC will face significant challenges in the years to come.
