President Cyril Ramaphosa is here to stay

The African National Congress (ANC) has dismissed rumours that its President, Cyril Ramaphosa, will not complete his term as party president.

“As far as we are concerned, there is no departure lounge in the NEC. This NEC, with its president, was elected in December 2022 and our term ends in December 2027,” acting ANC spokesperson Nonceba Mhlauli said over the weekend.

“Our term will end with President Cyril Ramaphosa as the president of the ANC, where he will then be handing over.”

“There is no departure lounge, President Ramaphosa is the president of the ANC and his term ends in 2027 in the ANC and whatever other rumours we cannot speak for or verify for any other reason.”

Ramaphosa’s possible resignation has become a source of intense speculation inside the ANC, driven by factional maneuvering and leaders positioning themselves for a post-Ramaphosa future given it is his second term.

A letter is reportedly circulating among senior ANC members in the Eastern Cape, calling for the removal of the party’s president.

It also says the National Executive Committee (NEC) should be disbanded and replaced with a national task team, which former party president Thabo Mbeki should lead.

ANC Veterans League president Snuki Zikalala described the situation as a covert and divisive attempt to remove Ramaphosa from office.

Zikalala told Sunday World that the ANC Veterans League rejects any attempts to destabilise the government and that Ramaphosa should finish his term.

“We, as the league, are behind the president, and, as far as we are concerned, he must finish his term,” he said.

Amid these pressures, Ramaphosa has demanded transparency from his critics, insisting they confront him in the NEC rather than operate anonymously.

Reflecting on the Madlanga Commission, he called for lifestyle audits for all NEC members and warned that the ANC cannot be run like a “mafia”.

He asserted his authority clearly, saying he remains in charge, and that if the NEC ever asks him to step aside, he will leave “tomorrow” without causing divisions.

No President in democratic South Africa has completed their two-elected terms. Former Presidents Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma were recalled after the ANC elected a new leader.

Race for 2027

His critics have been discussing his exit “in dark corners,” prompting Ramaphosa to challenge them to raise the matter openly within the NEC.

These tensions are heightened by early succession battles ahead of the 2027 elective conference and the upcoming National General Council. Different factions are already backing potential successors.

The ANC Women’s League is pushing figures such as Thoko Didiza for senior roles, while others are advancing the prospects of the deputy president.

The recent election of Kusela Diko to the National Working Committee also reflects shifting internal alignments.

The struggle over the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) further illustrates the party’s divisions.

The Youth League’s Secretary General and Treasurer General have been pushing for an early conference, clashing with its president, Collen Malatji.

Their dispute, centred on the Youth League’s autonomy and alleged ANC interference, escalated to the point where Ramaphosa stepped in.

Siding with Malatji, who is seeking re-election, he shut down the meeting and set the Youth League conference for after the National General Council.