The African National Congress concluded its National General Council in Boksburg with a display of unity, as President Cyril Ramaphosa committed to leading the party's 2026 local government election campaign. Delegates adopted resolutions focusing on renewal, anti-corruption measures, and addressing the party's existential challenges amid tensions with alliance partner SACP. Ramaphosa emphasized door-to-door campaigning and voluntary step-asides by members facing integrity issues.
The ANC's 5th National General Council (NGC), held over four days in Boksburg, East Rand, ended on December 11, 2025, with over 1,600 delegates endorsing a final report aimed at transforming South Africa's political economy, creating jobs, reducing poverty, and improving service delivery. President Cyril Ramaphosa, boosted by a successful G20 summit, will lead the party's campaign for the 2026/27 local government elections, a move intended to halt further decline after losing its national majority in 2024. He stays in office at least until the 2027 elective conference. 'No chairs flew,' Ramaphosa quipped to laughter, dismissing earlier media rumors of a plot to oust him.
The NGC highlighted the party's 'existential crisis,' with Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula declaring, '[We are in] an existential crisis which places national liberation at a crossroads. The struggle is at a forked road – it’s renewal or perish.' Resolutions include auditing ward-based challenges in every branch, launching a service delivery hotline at Luthuli House, and ending political interference in local procurement to curb cadre deployment. The party pledged to 'detenderise' the state, criticizing outsourcing for weakening capacity and fueling corruption, though the R1-trillion annual procurement budget poses implementation challenges.
Anti-corruption efforts feature a stronger Integrity Commission with greater independence, and praise for members voluntarily stepping aside in integrity cases. 'Those members who are stepping aside voluntarily... are to be applauded,' Ramaphosa said. The NGC also resolved to implement the National Health Insurance (NHI) despite opposition, backed by public support in a recent Institute for Justice and Reconciliation barometer.
Tensions with the South African Communist Party (SACP), which will contest elections independently, led to a decision requiring dual members to recuse themselves from ANC strategy discussions until an agreement is reached. Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba, a dual member, affirmed her role as the 'face of the ANC-led government.' Mbalula's organizational report received a standing ovation, positioning him as a potential 2027 presidential contender against Deputy President Paul Mashatile. An Ipsos poll shows the ANC at 41% support nationally. The ANC Veterans League vowed to monitor resolution implementation, noting the party's strong policies but weak execution. Ramaphosa urged, 'We are not daunted nor cynical about the renewal of our movement.' The party aims to regain black middle-class support through defending Black Economic Empowerment amid attacks from groups like the DA.
