ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula delivered a searing indictment of his own party, admitting that the ANC’s current woes and dwindling public trust are largely a consequence of its own actions, particularly the pervasive corruption scandals. 

Speaking at the Mpumalanga Provincial General Council at the weekend, Mbalula not only warned the governing party that it must “change its ways or it will die”, but also took a swipe at the South African Communist Party (SACP) for its decision to contest the 2026 local government elections independently.

Mbalula did not mince words when reflecting on the ANC’s performance in last year’s national elections, where it secured a mere 40% of the vote, forcing the unprecedented formation of a Government of National Unity (GNU). 

“Comrades, we have suffered a setback, a big one. Our numbers went down to 40%. The NEC asked, ‘What do we call this outcome?’ and said it is a setback. We had to create what is called a Government of National Unity,” he stated, acknowledging the severity of the electoral blow.

Mbalula placed the blame squarely on the party’s internal conduct and the widespread perception of corruption, rather than a rejection of its foundational principles. 

“Our ways and deeds have contributed largely to the low morale among our voters and our people,” Mbalula said.

“The people say: We trust the ideas, but no longer the vehicle, and the vehicle is the ANC.” 

This statement suggests an internal recognition within the ANC that its brand has been severely tarnished by a litany of corruption allegations and a perceived lack of accountability from its leadership.

Mbalula’s address served as a wake-up call, emphasising that leadership positions are temporary and future leaders should not inherit a “carcass” of a party. 

“Our organisation has not done well, and we must stand up together united and focus on the task,” he urged delegates, underscoring the urgent need for renewal and unity to reclaim public confidence. 

He insisted that recovery is possible if members embrace genuine change saying the party was in a strategic setback from which they could actually recover as the ANC.

Beyond the internal introspection, Mbalula also used the platform to address the growing rift within the tripartite alliance, specifically hitting back at the SACP’s decision to contest the 2026 local government elections independently. 

Dismissing the SACP’s move, Mbalula claimed it “does not shake the ANC, as the SACP ‘never brought numbers’ to the party”.

Addressing the “Comrades of the Communist Party” directly, Mbalula urged them to be “organised, show discipline, and demonstrate that you understand your politics”. 

He advised ANC members not to be deterred by the SACP’s criticism, asserting the ANC’s resilience. 

“Leave comrades of the SACP to talk. After they finish, we correct them with a red pen,” he said to applause. He metaphorically described the ANC as a car with “shock absorbers” capable of handling “rough roads”, signifying its ability to weather political challenges, even those posed by former allies. 

“The ANC is not shaken,” he declared, projecting an image of unwavering resolve despite the internal and external pressures.

Political analyst Metjie Makgoba said Mbalula’s speech represented a crucial moment of public reckoning for the ANC.

“His admission that the party’s decline is self-inflicted, particularly due to its ‘ways and deeds’ which allude to widespread corruption, marks a significant shift from previous attempts to deflect blame.” 

He said this acknowledgement, if followed by concrete action, could be a first step towards rebuilding trust. 

“However, the challenge lies in translating these words into tangible reforms that address the systemic issues of corruption and maladministration that have plagued the party and government.

“The timing of Mbalula’s remarks, following a historic electoral setback and the formation of a GNU, highlights the extreme pressure on the ANC to reinvent itself. His call for unity and renewal is not new, but the urgency with which it is delivered underscores the existential threat the party faces. The reference to the ‘carcass’ of a party serves as a stark warning that continued inaction could lead to its irrelevance.

“Furthermore, Mbalula’s strong stance against the SACP’s independent electoral ambitions reveals the deep fissures within the tripartite alliance. While he downplays the SACP’s electoral impact, his public rebuttal indicates a concern within the ANC that a fractured alliance could further dilute its support base,” he said.

mashudu.sadike@inl.co.za

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