ANC Leader Ntuli Calls for Ramaphosa to Answer Questions After Party Suffers Major Election Losses

South African African National Congress (ANC) leader Mdumiseni Ntuli has raised concerns about the party’s poor performance in recent elections, adding to growing pressure on President Cyril Ramaphosa and the party’s national leadership. Ntuli’s position has renewed discussions about whether the current leadership should take responsibility for the ANC’s declining public support and explain what went wrong. The development comes at a difficult time for the ruling party as it struggles to rebuild confidence among South African voters.

The ANC has suffered significant setbacks in two major elections, first during the 2021 Local Government Elections and again in the 2024 national elections. In the 2021 local elections, the party secured approximately 46 per cent of the vote, falling below the majority mark for the first time in the democratic era. Its performance declined further in 2024, when it received about 40 per cent of the national vote, forcing it to enter a Government of National Unity with other political parties.

Ntuli has previously expressed strong concerns about the performance of the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC), suggesting that members of the current leadership may struggle to justify seeking higher positions in the party if they fail to improve its electoral fortunes. He argued that the party should seriously consider looking beyond the existing NEC when discussing potential candidates to lead the organisation in the future. His comments have added to the ongoing debate about accountability, leadership renewal and the ANC’s political direction ahead of its 2027 leadership contest.

The latest election results have further increased the pressure on the ANC, with early figures showing another major decline in its national support. Reports indicate that the party has lost control of several important municipalities, raising concerns about its ability to maintain its traditional political influence. Many voters have expressed dissatisfaction over issues such as unemployment, crime, corruption and poor public services. These challenges have contributed to growing demands for the party to examine its performance and explain how it intends to regain public confidence.

As the ANC prepares to reflect on the election outcome, attention is turning to the discussions expected within its National Executive Committee and the future of Ramaphosa’s leadership. The debate also comes as the party approaches an important leadership transition in 2027. Whether the current leadership can convince party members and the public that it has a credible plan for rebuilding the ANC remains a major question. For now, Ntuli’s position has added another voice to the growing calls for accountability and serious changes within the party.

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