Cyril Ramaphosa highlights weakening branches as the cause of ANC’s decline in South Africa’s 2024 elections

On the ANC’s 113th anniversary, thousands of supporters gathered at Mandela Park Stadium in Khayelitsha, filling the venue with green and gold.

Amid the festivities, ANC leader Cyril Ramaphosa took the stage, addressing both triumphs and a stark reality—the party’s unprecedented decline in the 2024 general elections.

The Decline of ANC Branches

Ramaphosa did not shy away from discussing the party’s challenges.

He attributed the ANC’s loss of dominance to what he called “weak branches.”

These branches, once the lifeblood of the party, have grown inactive and disorganized, he said.

Recalling a visit to Delft, Ramaphosa shared an encounter with a resident who lamented the absence of active ANC branches.

The same feedback emerged during visits to Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Athlone, Robben Island, and Mitchells Plain. “Our branches have lost their vitality,” he admitted.

“This weakness has stripped us of the ability to govern independently.”

Historic Losses and a Coalition Government

For the first time in South Africa’s democratic history, the ANC’s support dropped below 50%, securing only 40% of the vote compared to 57% in the 2019 general elections.

This steep decline forced the party to form a Government of National Unity to maintain governance.

Political analysts and polls had foreseen this outcome, attributing it to a combination of internal disarray, public dissatisfaction, and a failure to adapt to shifting political landscapes.

Eyes on the 2026 Local Elections

As South Africa heads toward the 2026 local government elections, predictions indicate that the ANC’s support could continue to erode unless significant changes are made.

Ramaphosa’s message was clear: the revival of ANC branches is not optional—it’s essential.

“We must work tirelessly to rebuild these structures and regain the trust of our communities,” he urged.

A Turning Point or Continued Decline?

The ANC’s loss has prompted widespread debate about the party’s future.

Ramaphosa’s acknowledgment of the problem is a step forward, but whether the ANC can rebuild its foundation and reclaim its status remains uncertain.