The African National Congress (ANC) will resist any demands for President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down during coalition negotiations, announced Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula on Sunday. This declaration comes as the ANC prepares for discussions with other political parties to form a national government following their approximate 40% share in the 2024 elections.
Mbalula emphasized that while the ANC is open to coalition talks, it will not compromise on its principles. “Ramaphosa is the president of the ANC. If you come to us with a demand that Ramaphosa must stand down as president, that is not going to happen,” he asserted.
Acknowledging the need for internal reform, Mbalula noted that the ANC must undertake significant efforts to renew the organization and regain public support. “If we don’t strengthen the renewal and address many other issues, we will be gone,” he admitted, adding that preparations for the next election start immediately.
The ANC’s national executive committee (NEC) is set to meet on Tuesday to discuss coalition strategies. Mbalula confirmed that the ANC is willing to engage with all political parties, though each party’s ideology will play a critical role in the negotiations. He reiterated the ANC’s commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law, in contrast to parties like the MK party, which has suggested abolishing the Constitution to enhance parliamentary power.
Deputy Secretary-General Nomvula Mokonyane echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the ANC would only collaborate with parties that respect the Constitution and embrace South Africa’s diverse society. Mbalula added that the ANC’s own constitution would also guide coalition decisions, questioning how the six million ANC voters would be served through inter-party cooperation.
Reflecting on past coalition experiences, Mbalula warned of their tendency to bring instability. “Coalitions have brought instability, but we have to follow the will of the people,” he said, stressing the need for stable governance at the national level. He also mentioned the chaotic coalitions seen in local governments, calling them “strange collisions.”
The ANC will accept responsibility for its electoral setbacks without engaging in a “blame game,” Mbalula declared. He attributed the party’s poor performance partly to low voter turnout, particularly in key areas like Gauteng. “We knew that low voter turnout would not be in our favor,” he said, noting that certain regions, including Soweto, did not show strong support for the ANC.
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