Cape Town – ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa has set out six key priorities for the party, with renewal taking center stage, in response to what he termed an existential crisis facing the ANC.
Speaking at the party’s 113th birthday celebration at Mandela Park stadium in Khayelitsha, Cape Town on Saturday, Ramaphosa emphasised the urgency of reform following the ANC’s dwindling electoral support, which plummeted to 40% in recent national elections.
Renewal and Governance
Ramaphosa said that the ANC’s survival hinges on its ability to renew and adapt. This renewal entails reinforcing the party’s presence within communities through active and responsive branches, designed to address local challenges and grievances effectively.
“Renewal is as much about fixing the ANC as it is about improving governance, service delivery, and fast-tracking socioeconomic transformation,” he said.
6 PRIORITY ACTIONS AND SPECIFIC TASKS FOR 2025
1. Decisive and visible action to renew the ANC.
2. Fix local government and ensure water and energy security.
3. Speed up inclusive economic growth to create jobs.
4. Strengthen the fight against crime and corruption and build… pic.twitter.com/uJYoHXIukd
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) January 11, 2025
Infrastructure and Service Delivery
Ramaphosa said that the ANC has made strides in resolving load-shedding, a crisis that had crippled South Africa’s economy. However, he acknowledged that water security now poses an equally significant challenge.
“Water is life, and sanitation is dignity,” he said, announcing plans to prioritise water security in 2025.
Economic Transformation
Ramaphosa said that addressing unemployment is another key focus. He highlighted the importance of public employment programmes in mitigating high unemployment rates, though he stressed the need for sustainable, long-term job creation through economic growth and investment.
“Manufacturing, with its high jobs multiplier, is critical,” he said, calling for a revitalised industrial base and enhanced technological capabilities. Investments in infrastructure, export-focused manufacturing, and the leveraging of South Africa’s critical mineral resources are central to this agenda.
Crime and Safety
To combat high crime rates, the ANC has recruited 10,000 new police officers and launched initiatives such as Operation Shanela and Operation Vala Umgodi to tackle illegal mining.
Ramaphosa praised the establishment of the Border Management Authority (BMA) for its role in protecting territorial integrity and enforcing immigration laws.
National Dialogue and Social Cohesion
Ramaphosa proposed a national dialogue to address pressing issues of economic exclusion, social inequality, and marginalisation.
He emphasised that public participation is vital to restoring the ANC’s connection with citizens and fostering inclusive decision-making.
Building a Better Africa and World
On the international front, Ramaphosa said that the ANC remains committed to principles of Pan-Africanism, anti-imperialism, and solidarity.
He highlighted the importance of strengthening the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on its 45th anniversary, emphasising regional cooperation as a cornerstone of the ANC’s vision.
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Picture: X/@CyrilRamaphosa
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
