Ramaphosa: ANC Must Cure ‘Disease’ of Ignoring Policy Resolutions

ANC Faces Internal Challenges, Ramaphosa Warns

At the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg, ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered a no-nonsense assessment of his party, saying it suffers from a “disease” of failing to implement its own policy resolutions. Speaking at the party’s fifth National General Council (NGC) on Monday, he called for members to embody the values of the ANC not only in their work but also in their online conduct.

“The ANC must be united around the values and principles of our movement. Lack of implementation is a disease that we must rid ourselves of,” Ramaphosa said, emphasizing that the party’s renewal must be visible in everyday behaviour.

[WATCH] President Cyril Ramaphosa says members of the ANC must reflect the party’s renewal in their behaviour, including what they post on social media about each other or the party.#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/a4FAH8kI0J

Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) December 8, 2025

Renewal Through Discipline and Membership Quality

The NGC, a four-day gathering reviewing the party’s progress since the last elective conference in Nasrec in December 2022, has placed organisational renewal at the centre of discussions. Ramaphosa stressed that the ANC’s future depends on quality membership and leadership.

This involves overhauling the membership system to attract individuals genuinely committed to serving South Africans, and screening out criminals, corrupt officials, extortionists, factionalists, and careerists. Leadership elections and discipline within the ranks will be strictly enforced, he said.

“A renewed ANC must enforce discipline. Those whose conduct conflicts with our values should find themselves outside the African National Congress,” he added.

Social Media Conduct Reflects Party Values

Ramaphosa also highlighted the need for ANC members to act responsibly online, warning against posting messages that undermine the party or its leaders.

“The renewal of the ANC must be reflected in our everyday behaviour… including what we post either against each other or about the ANC on social media,” he said.

Social media, Ramaphosa noted, is a reflection of the party’s public image and internal cohesion, and a critical front in shaping perceptions ahead of the 2027 elections.

Succession and Internal Tensions Loom

While the NGC officially denies discussing succession, political analyst Theo Neethling said internal signals suggest the question of who will replace Ramaphosa remains alive behind closed doors.

“Even with ongoing public rejections from high-ranking ANC officials, the party is transitioning into a phase of heightened internal conflict,” Neethling said.

He added that references to “renewal” often mask battles for control over key structures, with reports indicating the ANC’s top seven leaders are influencing outcomes of regional elective conferences currently underway.

A Party at a Crossroads

Ramaphosa’s call to implement policies, enforce discipline, and renew the party’s moral and operational standards comes at a crucial time. The ANC faces growing scrutiny over factionalism, corruption, and leadership succession, and the outcomes of this NGC could shape its trajectory leading into the 2027 elections.

The question remains: can the ANC cure its “disease” and emerge unified, or will internal struggles continue to dominate its narrative, both on the ground and online?

{Source: The Citizen}

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