ANC's national general council meeting underway in Boksburg
(The Post News)- The African National Congress (ANC) is set to hold its national general council (NGC) from Monday at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni. This gathering comes at a critical time for the party, as it navigates the challenges of leading a government of national unity (GNU) after losing its outright majority in the 2024 general election.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to open the congress, which will focus on assessing the party’s organisational health, policy direction, and performance in government. The NGC will also provide a platform for the party to discuss pressing issues, including the economy, service delivery, and the fight against corruption.
Maropene Ramokgopa, the ANC’s second deputy secretary-general, has downplayed speculation about Ramaphosa’s leadership, stating that the focus is on addressing the concerns of ordinary South Africans. “People are more concerned about local government and whether the GNU is the right thing,” she said.
Solly Phetoe, general secretary of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), has called on the ANC to use the NGC to prioritise workers’ struggles and economic recovery. He emphasised the need for bold and new approaches to address the country’s stagnant economic growth and high unemployment rate.
Assessing the party’s organisational health, policy direction, and performance in government
The NGC will also discuss the ANC’s renewal programme, which aims to rebuild the party’s branches and promote integrity and ethical conduct among its members. Ramaphosa has stressed the importance of focusing on the party’s core mission of serving the people and building a better life for all South Africans.
The outcome of the NGC is likely to have significant implications for the ANC’s future direction and its ability to address the country’s pressing challenges. As the party’s national chairperson, Gwede Mantashe, has noted, the NGC is an opportunity for the ANC to reflect on its progress and chart a way forward.
Politics analyst, Thando Maeko, notes that the NGC is a critical moment for the ANC to demonstrate its commitment to renewal and reform. “The party needs to show that it is serious about addressing the concerns of its members and the broader South African public,” he said.
The ANC’s NGC will be closely watched by the media and the public, as it will provide insight into the party’s internal dynamics and its plans for the future. The party’s ability to navigate its internal challenges and present a united front will be crucial in determining its success in the years ahead.
In the coming days, the ANC will release a statement outlining the outcomes of the NGC and the party’s plans for moving forward. The party’s national spokesperson will brief the media on the discussions and decisions taken during the congress.
The NGC is expected to conclude on Thursday, December 11, 2025. The ANC will then report back to its members and the public on the outcomes of the meeting and the party’s plans for the future.
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