{
  "id": 18908272,
  "title": "Mbalula once called Bafana a “useless bunch of losers”. Now look at the ANC today",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/mbalula-once-called-bafana-a-useless-bunch-of-losers-now-look-at-the",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-08T09:30:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/opinion/2026-11-08-mbalula-once-called-bafana-a-useless-bunch-of-losers-now-look-at-the-anc-today/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The African National Congress (ANC), once a symbol of intellectualism and empowerment, now appears to be a disorganized and hopeless entity, according to an assessment of the recent local government elections. The party's performance in these elections is seen as a disastrous failure, with a significant drop in support from nearly 70% in 2004 to below 50% in 2021. The ANC's Secretary General, Fikile Mbalula, who once called South Africa's national soccer team \"a bunch of losers\" following a poor performance, is now presiding over a party with a failing track record and no clear plan for improvement. The party's leadership is accused of lacking accountability and failing to adapt to changing circumstances, leading to a loss of voter trust and a fractured black electorate. The ANC must now take complete accountability for its failures, resign its top leaders, and allow younger visionaries to implement a turnaround strategy before it is too late.",
  "summary": "As the ANC’s vote share falls to around a third, the author argues that its national leadership must resign and make way for a turnaround team within 100 days.",
  "key_points": [
    "ANC's support dropped from 70% in 2004 to below 50% in 2021",
    "Fikile Mbalula, once critical of Bafana, now leads failing ANC",
    "Party accused of lacking accountability and failing to adapt"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}