‘The person who will kill the ANC is not born yet,’ says Mbalula

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula declared that the person who could potentially bring down the ANC has yet to be born. During a funeral service for a party stalwart in the Free State, he asserted that the upcoming local government elections would demonstrate the ANC's enduring strength and refusal to succumb. Mbalula dismissed predictions that the elections might mark the end of the ANC, stating that the party's demise was far from inevitable.

Public trust was a concern for Mbalula, who acknowledged the ANC's loss of confidence, particularly among long-time supporters. He urged forgiveness for past errors and emphasized the need for the party to confront its shortcomings. Mbalula proposed that the ANC undergo a transformation akin to a personal soul change (RDP of the soul) to rectify its issues.

He called upon all ANC leaders to align their actions with the party's vision for the betterment of all South Africans. Those who fail to adhere to the party's standards should be held accountable, although Mbalula indicated that expulsion would not be the sole recourse. Recognizing the ANC's significance in addressing the nation's challenges, including inequality and gender-based violence, Mbalula urged ANC members to embody good values and ethical conduct.

By doing so, he believed the ANC would forge stronger connections with its constituents and effectively counteract opposition from emerging political movements. Despite internal challenges, Mbalula emphasized the ANC's enduring relevance and its capacity to empower the impoverished as a genuine people's movement.