By Thebe Mabanga
The empty seats in the 30,000-seater stadium told a story of their own. The ANC attributed the gaps to logistical challenges, including traffic congestion and supporters lingering outside the venue to escape the heat.
But it is also worth asking whether the sparse turnout reflects a deeper sense of apprehension and disillusionment among the party’s membership.
The problem with the ANC it appears to have run out of ideas about what to do about South Africa’s economic growth and unemployment crisis.
What currently sustains the economy are high commodity prices — including a record gold price — alongside relatively low oil prices. Together, these factors have underpinned a stronger rand, lower inflation and subdued interest rates.
The two areas where the ANC can claim some credit are the implementation of reforms in energy and logistics, and the improved performance of key state-owned enterprises such as Eskom, Transnet,
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