Mantashe bemoans fragmented black vote after ANC decline

ANC Chairperson Gwede Mantashe expressed concern over the fractured black vote in South Africa, which he believes has weakened his party and could lead to its downfall. During an ANC podcast discussion about the ANC's poor showing in recent local government elections, where they received around 30% of the vote compared to a 45% decline in the 2024 national elections, Mantashe emphasized the catastrophic impact of party fragmentation.

He criticized the proliferation of 520 political parties, with only a few exceptions, all black parties contesting the elections. Mantashe argued that the multitude of parties dilutes and weakens the black vote's influence, as some parties garnered no seats while others won only one or were scattered across various positions.

Mantashe warned that the white vote, which is expected to consolidate, will benefit from this fragmentation, creating a wedge among the black vote and potentially leading to the ANC's demise. He cautioned that if the ANC fails to address this issue, it could follow the paths of other liberation movements that have recovered and risen again, but the ANC should not allow history to repeat itself.

The ANC leader also addressed coalition negotiations, urging the party to be prepared to act as an opposition party in some councils where it is not governing alone. He stressed that the ANC must not seek to govern at all costs but should be content with opposition roles when its party is small.

Furthermore, Mantashe cautioned potential coalition partners, urging them to be carefully selected based on the unique circumstances of each municipality. He advised against working with the Democratic Alliance (DA) due to stability concerns or with black parties solely based on racial solidarity. He emphasized the importance of examining every area individually and developing tailored strategies accordingly.

Mantashe addressed criticism from former ANC leaders who called for certain leaders to step down. He stated that if the national executive committee (NEC) calls for such a move, the ANC has a precedent of recalling two previous presidents and must comply. However, he cautioned against tolerating individuals who believe they are superior to the ANC due to their past records and expressing views outside the party structures, as this behavior borders on ill-discipline.

He urged former leaders to contribute positively to rebuilding the ANC rather than accelerating its destruction. Mantashe concluded by reassuring that while acknowledging the party's decline, the ANC remains the largest governing party in South Africa and is not on its deathbed. He expressed hope that the ANC can regain the trust of its people and continue to play a significant role in the nation's governance.