‘Time is Not on Our Side’: ANC Confronts Its Decline

At the ANC’s National General Council in Boksburg, secretary-general Fikile Mbalula struck an unusually candid tone, admitting the party’s electoral decline is long-running, beginning with the loss of key metros in 2016, worsening after the 2021 hung councils, and culminating in the ANC falling below 50% in 2024.Mbalula blamed a “well-funded” opposition effort under the Moonshot Pact for accelerating the slide, but acknowledged the party must urgently rebuild as it navigates the Government of National Unity. Phemelo unpacks the ANC’s crossroads with NEC member Dr Joe Maswanganyi and Cosatu spokesperson Matthew Parks.