Cyril Ramaphosa Blames Weak Branches for ANC’s Historic Electoral Decline in the 2024 General Elections in Khayelitsha

In a revealing address, African National Congress (ANC) leader Cyril Ramaphosa attributed the party’s significant drop in support during the 2024 general elections to the weakening of its branches.

He made these comments during the annual January 8 statement at the Mandela Park Stadium in Khayelitsha, where the ANC celebrated its 113th anniversary.

Weak Branches Lead to Decline

The Mandela Park Stadium was filled with thousands of ANC supporters, all dressed in the party’s iconic green and gold colors, marking a momentous occasion for the liberation movement.

Despite the celebration, Ramaphosa took the opportunity to highlight the challenges the party faces, particularly the diminishing strength of its branches across the country.

Ramaphosa emphasized that the weakening of ANC branches has led to a loss of the party’s organizational strength, which he believes contributed directly to the party’s poor performance in the 2024 elections.

He shared an example from his recent visit to Delft, where a local resident pointed out that ANC branches in the area were essentially nonexistent.

He noted that other parts of Cape Town, including Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Athlone, and Mitchells Plain, were facing similar issues.

Ramaphosa’s Call for Renewal

According to Ramaphosa, this weakness has significantly impacted the party’s ability to govern independently, as seen in the sharp drop in voter support.

He urged the party to revive its branches and put in the work necessary to rebuild the structures that once made the ANC a strong political force.

The president called this a crucial lesson for the party moving forward, emphasizing the importance of grassroots organization in retaining power.

ANC’s Struggle to Maintain Majority

For the first time since South Africa’s democracy began, the ANC saw its support dip below 50%, with the party securing just 40% of the vote in the 2024 elections.

This represents a dramatic decline from the 57% the party secured in the 2019 general elections.

Political analysts had long predicted such a result, and it forced the ANC to enter into a Government of National Unity (GNU) to continue governing.

With the next local government elections looming in 2026, many analysts predict that the ANC’s support may continue to fall, posing further challenges for the party.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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