Thabo Mbeki Calls for ANC Renewal Amid Exodus of Opportunistic Members

Mbeki Sounds the Alarm: ANC Renewal Cannot Wait

Former President Thabo Mbeki didn’t mince words at a political education event in Durban over the weekend. The ANC, he said, must confront a crisis that has left its credibility frayed and its membership fragmented. His call for renewal comes as some opportunistic members once reliant on party connections for business tenders and political leverage are quietly leaving the party, signalling a slow but natural cleansing process.

“Be honest about the state of the organisation. We recognise there is a crisis,” Mbeki said. “You can’t drop to 17% support and think all is well.” His words struck a chord in the Midlands, where ANC members have observed businesspeople and former leaders defecting to opposition parties.

Renewal vs. Conference: A Critical Balance

Mbeki stressed that renewal must precede conference processes, warning against the danger of putting the wrong people in power. “You need to be able to say there is a process of renewal that has taken place; it has produced this kind of member, this kind of cadre, and let them have a conference,” he said. Otherwise, the party risks repeating the same mistakes, perpetuating patronage and self-enrichment.

An ANC member in the Moses Mabhida region echoed Mbeki’s sentiment, acknowledging that while the renewal process in KwaZulu-Natal is slow, it is ongoing. “The focus right now is on getting the process right. Some branches still list members who have left for other parties; that needs to be addressed before we can move forward,” the member said.

The Exodus of Opportunists

Observers have noted a quiet exodus of individuals who joined the ANC for personal gain. “People involved in school nutrition and other tenders in the Midlands are shifting allegiances,” said the member. “While the official renewal is slow, there’s a natural cleansing happening as members leave on their own.”

Another local member framed renewal as more than just weeding out corruptionit’s about reclaiming the soul of the movement. “Communities still see councillors putting themselves above the people, but we also see dedicated cadres working tirelessly in townships and villages. Renewal is about principle versus patronage,” she said.

Public Skepticism Remains

Political analyst Siyabonga Ntombela remains unconvinced. “The renewal project is an impossible feat for the ANC. Alleged corrupt leaders are still at the helm. If renewal is to work, start with those implicated in the State Capture report,” he said.

Social media reaction has been mixed. While some South Africans welcome Mbeki’s frankness, others question whether the ANC leadership is capable of real transformation. One Twitter user commented: “Mbeki speaks sense, but who will actually enforce it? Talk is cheap.”

A Vision of Renewal

Mbeki’s message is clear: the ANC must prioritise accountability and integrity, even if the process is uneven and slow. For members and communities, it’s a reminder that the party’s health affects daily lifeservices, governance, and trust in leadership. The renewal journey is not just bureaucratic; it’s a moral and political reckoning that may define the party’s future.

{Source: IOL}

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