South Africa
ANC urged to reflect on challenges ahead of January 8 Statement─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 15:41 Mon, 06 Jan 2025
A North West political analyst says the ANC has to confront its deeply-rooted challenges as the party prepares to deliver its annual January 8 Statement on Saturday (11/1).
This year’s statement, commemorating the ANC’s 113th anniversary, comes at a critical juncture following the party’s weakest electoral performance since 1994. For the first time, the ANC is operating under a government of national unity (GNU) arrangement due to its failure to secure an outright majority nationally in the May 2024 elections.
Pres, Cyril Ramaphosa is set to deliver the statement at Mandela Park Stadium in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. Khayelitsha stadium only seats 2,000 people compared to the much bigger stadiums for previous birthday celebrations. Last year’s address in Mpumalanga focused heavily on rallying support for the ANC in the general elections.
NWU political analyst Prof. Phago told OFM News that the ANC faces an uphill battle to regain the trust of South Africans. For the first time, the ANC doesn’t have an outright majority in various provinces or nationally.
North-West University political analyst Prof. Kedibone Phago. Photo: Kekeletso Mosebetsi.
“This means the party must reconsider its areas of influence and explore ways to reassert itself as a party of choice.”
He added the ANC must address several pressing issues, including state capture. The party’s response to recommendations by former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo’s commission on state capture has been slow, leaving many South Africans disappointed.
The NPA’s lacklustre follow-through has compounded public frustration.
The ongoing malaise in local government is exacerbated by factionalism. “The ANC has struggled to present a viable strategy for reviving local government, and internal politics continue to undermine progress.”
Phago said that contestation for leadership positions, particularly within the ANC’s top six, remains a divisive issue. This trend threatens to overshadow critical governance priorities.
He emphasised the importance of using events like the January 8 Statement to reflect on the party’s direction.
‘The ANC needs to offer practical solutions to South Africa’s challenges’
“The ANC must deeply introspect during these celebrations. If it still wants to be the party of choice, it needs to offer practical solutions to South Africa’s challenges and demonstrate a renewed commitment to governance.”
Analysts view the party’s performance in the upcoming elections as a litmus test for its ability to adapt and address the country’s pressing socio-economic challenges.
