ANC Leadership and Members Show Strong Support for President Ramaphosa

Ramaphosa Stands Firm as ANC Rallies Behind Him

President Cyril Ramaphosa has emerged politically strengthened after a tense weekend meeting of the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC), where he challenged rumours about his potential resignation head-on.

The speculation, fueled by media reports suggesting Ramaphosa might step down after the G20 summit, met a firm response from the president. Sources say he confronted party detractors directly, urging them to stop plotting in secrecy and, if necessary, provide a specific timeline for his departure.

“He told the NEC that if he is asked to resign, he would even do it tomorrow,” said an ANC leader present at the meeting.

Youth League Throws Its Weight Behind the President

One of the standout moments of the NEC gathering came when ANC Youth League members openly declared their support for Ramaphosa.

“A member of the Youth League stood up and asserted that the president will remain in office until after the elections,” said an NEC member who requested anonymity. “Anyone attempting to remove him will first have to go through the Youth League.”

Even former Youth League members, usually critical voices, were reportedly sending messages encouraging NEC colleagues to publicly back the president. Social media birthday greetings and well-wishes were suggested as a gesture of support, reflecting a broader effort to counteract rumours and speculation.

Rank-and-File Members Echo Support

Ordinary ANC branch members from KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga voiced similar sentiment. They stressed that any talk of Ramaphosa stepping down is premature.

“The conference isn’t until 2027. Change now is pointless,” said one ANC member from KZN. “He was central to putting together the current government structures and the GNU. The government wouldn’t function properly without him.”

A KwaZulu-Natal Midlands activist noted frustration with the state of the ANC locally but emphasised that ordinary branches are not calling for immediate leadership change.

“If there were any moves for him to resign now, it would come from the NEC itself, not from the grassroots,” the activist said.

Veterans Warn Against Destabilisation

The ANC Veterans League, led by Dr Snuki Zikalala, has also spoken out against any attempts to remove the president.

Zikalala revealed that the League had recently learned about plans, reportedly linked to former President Thabo Mbeki, suggesting a task team to remove Ramaphosa.

“We condemned and denied this as the Veterans League because we know nothing about this. If the ANC is destabilised in this way, it could spell the end of the party. As veterans, we will not allow that to happen,” he said.

The statement underscores the deep institutional support Ramaphosa enjoys, even amid internal turbulence.

A President Standing Tall

The NEC meeting and subsequent statements reveal that, despite media chatter, Cyril Ramaphosa remains firmly backed by key factions within the ANC, including the Youth League, the Veterans League, and many ordinary members.

Political analysts suggest that this show of unity will likely deter premature calls for resignation and provide Ramaphosa with a platform to consolidate his influence ahead of the 2027 ANC conference.

“The president has shown he is ready to face criticism head-on. The message from the ANC is clear: he stays until the proper time,” said one political commentator.

For now, the party’s internal dynamics remain tense, but Ramaphosa’s position appears secure, at least for the next two years.

{Source: IOL}

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