Mbalula insists the ANC will survive despite declining public trust

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has dismissed predictions that the party could face its political downfall in the upcoming local government elections, declaring that the ANC is not going anywhere.

Speaking at the funeral of ANC stalwart Nomnyamazana Toki in the Free State on Sunday, Mbalula said the party would survive despite growing criticism and concerns about its standing among voters.

“There are those that have predicted that these elections will mark the death of the ANC, that will not happen, the ANC will not die, the person who will kill the ANC is not born yet,” he said.

His comments come as the party faces pressure to regain public confidence and convince voters that it can address the challenges affecting communities across the country.

Mbalula acknowledges loss of public trust

Mbalula admitted that the ANC had lost the trust of some South Africans, including people who had supported the party for decades.

He called on voters to give the organisation another chance, while urging party members to acknowledge past mistakes and take responsibility for their actions.

“Forgive the ANC and where we have erred, let us take ownership of our mistakes,” he said.

Mbalula argued that rebuilding the party’s reputation would require more than promises, saying its leaders needed to demonstrate through their actions that they were serious about addressing its shortcomings.

He described this process as a form of personal and organisational renewal, referring to it as the “RDP of the soul”.

“Comrades, we must change things and how we do things,” he said.

ANC leaders urged to commit to renewal

The secretary-general also called on ANC leaders to uphold the values expected of party members and improve the lives of South Africans.

He warned that members who failed to follow the organisation’s standards should be removed from their positions, stressing the need for accountability within its ranks.

Mbalula said the party needed to pay greater attention to the problems facing communities, including inequality and gender-based violence.

He argued that addressing these challenges and demonstrating ethical leadership could help the ANC regain support and strengthen its position against rival political parties.

“People will begin to see that we care about their problems, they will see that we care about their lives, they will see that we care about their future,” he said.

Mbalula warns against backing rival parties

Mbalula also cautioned ANC supporters about newer political formations competing for the party’s traditional support base.

He questioned whether these parties had the same governing experience and long-term staying power as the ANC, urging supporters to remain committed to the organisation despite its internal challenges.

He maintained that the party remained relevant because many of the social and economic problems it was established to address continued to affect South Africans.

“The ANC is the people’s movement, there is nothing wrong with the ANC, the problems are some individuals within the ANC,” he said.

His remarks placed the responsibility for the party’s future on its own members, with renewal, accountability and improved service to communities central to his message.

Whether the ANC can translate those commitments into renewed public confidence will be a key test as the country approaches the next local government elections.

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Source: The Citizen