Cyril Ramaphosa Reportedly Consider Resigning As ANC President After Party Suffers Historic Election

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is reportedly considering stepping down as African National Congress (ANC) president following the party’s devastating performance in the 2026 Local Government Elections, raising fresh questions about the future of the ruling party and the Government of National Unity (GNU).

The shocking development emerged after the ANC suffered one of its biggest electoral setbacks since the beginning of South Africa’s democracy in 1994, with its national support falling to approximately 31%.

According to a report published by the Sunday Times on Sunday, 8 November 2026, at least five senior members of the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) revealed that Ramaphosa had raised the possibility of resigning during discussions about the party’s disappointing election results.

The reported suggestion has triggered an extraordinary debate within the ANC’s senior leadership, particularly regarding accountability and whether the party’s top officials should collectively accept responsibility for the electoral defeat.

For Ramaphosa, the situation represents another difficult moment in his political career, as the ANC has now suffered two consecutive major electoral setbacks under his leadership.

According to the newspaper’s sources, Ramaphosa reportedly argued that the party could not continue experiencing electoral defeats without consequences for those leading the organisation.

The president is said to have suggested that the ANC’s top seven officials should consider vacating their positions following the disappointing results.

However, sources indicated that he was prepared to resign individually if the other senior officials were unwilling to support his proposal for collective leadership changes.

One senior NEC member reportedly explained that Ramaphosa believed the party needed to take responsibility after losing significant electoral support under the current leadership.

The proposal reportedly surprised some members of the ANC leadership, with Deputy President Paul Mashatile and other senior officials said to have urged him not to make an emotional decision.

Second Deputy Secretary-General Maropene Ramokgopa reportedly encouraged reflection rather than immediate resignations, with an early national conference also emerging as a possible option.

It is important to note that the reported resignation discussion has not been confirmed as an official decision by Ramaphosa or the ANC.

The latest election figures explain why the ANC leadership is facing increasing pressure.

With approximately 99% of votes counted, the party was polling at around 31%, significantly below its 49.9% national support in the 2021 Local Government Elections.

The result represents a historic decline for an organisation that dominated South African politics for three decades following the end of apartheid.

The ANC also experienced a major setback during the 2024 National and Provincial Elections, when its support fell to approximately 40.2%, forcing it to form a Government of National Unity with other political parties.

The 2026 municipal results have now demonstrated that the party’s electoral difficulties extend beyond national politics.

Several important metropolitan municipalities have become battlegrounds, with the ANC losing its previous dominance in major urban centres.

The Democratic Alliance has strengthened its position in Gauteng, while the uMkhonto weSizwe Party has made significant gains in KwaZulu-Natal.

The results have also created uncertainty in numerous municipalities where no political party secured an outright majority.

Perhaps one of the most concerning issues raised during the reported discussions is the possible impact of Ramaphosa’s departure on the Government of National Unity.

According to one NEC member quoted by the Sunday Times, his resignation as ANC president could potentially threaten the stability of the existing political arrangement.

The source reportedly questioned how Ramaphosa could leave the leadership of the ANC while continuing to lead the national government.

However, the ANC presidency and the country’s constitutional presidency are separate positions. Resigning as party president would not automatically remove Ramaphosa from the office of President of South Africa.

Nevertheless, such a development could create significant political uncertainty within the GNU, particularly if it triggered disagreements about the ANC’s leadership and its relationship with coalition partners.

The GNU was established after the 2024 elections, when the ANC lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since 1994.

Its future could therefore become an important subject of discussion if the ruling party undergoes major leadership changes.

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has also addressed the disappointing election outcome, emphasising the need for collective responsibility.

Rather than focusing exclusively on individual leaders, Mbalula has argued that the entire organisation must examine its shortcomings and take responsibility for the results.

The ANC has acknowledged that voters are unhappy with several aspects of its performance, particularly service delivery, municipal management and the quality of local government.

In its statement issued on 7 November, the party admitted that it had not performed well and acknowledged losing councils it had governed for many years.

The organisation also promised to rebuild its structures from the branch level and improve accountability among its public representatives.

The ANC’s National Executive Committee is expected to play an important role in determining the organisation’s next political direction.

Its discussions will involve examining the election results, identifying the reasons behind declining support and considering possible changes within the party.

The challenge is particularly serious because the ANC must rebuild public confidence while simultaneously participating in coalition negotiations across several municipalities.

Ramaphosa’s reported willingness to consider resignation has therefore added another dimension to an already difficult political situation.

For now, there is no official confirmation that he has decided to leave the ANC presidency or the national presidency.

However, the fact that such discussions are reportedly taking place demonstrates the seriousness of the crisis facing the organisation.

Source; https://x.com/MDNnewss/status/2119335634103844893/photo/1?a=h0yF2sKXGSR82KQV_O0&s=19

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