Former Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, has acknowledged that South Africa’s governing African National Congress (ANC) is losing political ground and must urgently rebuild public confidence.
Speaking in an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Channel One TV’s Face to Face on Tuesday, November 25, Dr. Dlamini-Zuma conceded that the party’s support has declined significantly.
“It’s partly true. That is why we have realised we have to renew ourselves,” she said. “We seem to have lost track of ourselves, judging also from the last election — we got below 50%. We’re trying to renew the organisation to bring it back to its former glory. It’s not easy, but we’re trying,” he said.
The ANC, once celebrated as the political force that led South Africa to independence, has in recent years faced growing criticism over governance challenges, corruption scandals, internal divisions, and declining electoral performance.
Dr. Dlamini-Zuma emphasised that despite these setbacks, efforts are underway to rebuild the party’s structures and reconnect with citizens ahead of future elections.
Following the 2024 general election, the ANC lost its majority in parliament for the first time in South Africa’s democratic era, securing just over 40% of the vote.
Wikiwand reported that the party also lost its dominance in key provinces, including KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and the Northern Cape. Despite these setbacks, the ANC retained power at the national level through a grand coalition—referred to as the Government of National Unity—made up of parties that collectively hold 72% of the seats in Parliament.
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