ANC of Ramaphosa faces critical existential crisis

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that the African National Congress (ANC), the country's ruling party and Africa's oldest liberation movement, is at a critical juncture. Speaking during the ANC's 113th anniversary celebration at Mandela Park Stadium in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, Ramaphosa said the party must urgently renew itself or face demise.

"The 2024 election results confirm that we face an existential crisis: this is a moment wherein the ANC should either renew or perish," he told thousands of supporters. "We must do much more work, with greater urgency and determination."

The ANC, which has ruled South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994, suffered a historic defeat in the May 2024 general elections, dropping from 57% to 40% of the vote. For the first time, the party was forced into a coalition government with opposition parties.

Ramaphosa acknowledged the party's struggles with internal factionalism, corruption, and dwindling public support, especially among unemployed youth and the poor. "The cornerstone of our renewal agenda remains building our movement's capacity to discharge its historical mission," he said. "The ANC will renew and rebuild itself to unite all South Africans and to provide clear, decisive, and ethical leadership."
A Legacy Under Pressure

The ANC's long and storied history, once defined by its leadership in the liberation struggle against apartheid, is now overshadowed by socio-economic challenges facing South Africa. Rising unemployment, corruption scandals, and service delivery failures have eroded public trust. The party's internal strife has been exacerbated by splinter groups, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), led by Julius Malema, and the MK Party, led by former President Jacob Zuma.
Winds of Change in Southern Africa

The ANC's decline mirrors a broader trend affecting liberation movements across Southern Africa. Opposition parties have gained ground in recent years, with victories in Seychelles, Mauritius, Zambia, Malawi, Lesotho, and Botswana.

In Zimbabwe, ZANU-PF narrowly survived a political crisis in 2008 but relied on violence and intimidation to retain power. Mozambique's FRELIMO is grappling with post-election violence, while Namibia's SWAPO and Tanzania's Chama Cha Mapinduzi are also under growing pressure.

The shock defeat of Botswana's Democratic Party in 2024 after 58 years in power sent further shockwaves through the region's liberation movements, underscoring the shifting political landscape.
A Fight for Survival

Ramaphosa urged the ANC to reconnect with communities by strengthening its local branches and engaging citizens. He framed the party's renewal as essential not only for its survival but for fulfilling its historical mission of unity and development.

"This includes strengthening the presence of the ANC in communities through strong ANC branches as centers of development, that engage and listen to citizens, and work with them to address challenges and grievances," he said.

As the ANC reflects on its legacy and future, its ability to adapt and respond to the winds of political change will determine whether it can regain its footing or join the ranks of liberation movements consigned to history.