ANC faces internal divisions and leadership challenges amid declining public trust
The African National Congress ANC is experiencing significant internal divisions and leadership struggles, which are impacting its ability to govern and maintain public confidence. The article likens the party's current state to a broken object, with "splinters of factionalism" threatening its existence. Issues such as the contentious selection of mayoral candidates highlight the deep-seated conflicts, with some members prioritizing personal interests over party unity. The executive is described as being dictated to, rather than running the party. ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa is portrayed as allowing these issues to persist, while others within the party's top leadership are seen as benefiting from the chaos. Secretary-general Fikile Mbalula's argument that voters should focus on the party and Ramaphosa, rather than local candidates, is criticized as a weak and tone-deaf stance, especially ahead of local government elections. The article also points to a decline in public trust, citing increased corruption, service delivery failures, rising inflation, unemployment, and a slowdown in economic growth during Ramaphosa's presidency. The author questions why voters should support a party whose own leaders appear to be actively contributing to its destruction, suggesting the ANC is "beyond repair."