ANC’s January 8 moment: Ramaphosa must avoid rhetoric, or lose metros come elections

Simon Nare

If ever there was a time an ANC January 8 Statement had to stick, resonate, and get the country behind it, it has to be the 2026 statement set to be delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa at Maruleng Stadium, outside Rustenburg, this weekend.

The statement traditionally sets the tone for the year and outlines the party’s goals and priorities for the year ahead, but this is not an ordinary year. It’s a local government election year, and the party exited the previous national and provincial elections badly bruised.

It therefore needs something sellable, and quickly, or it could face the prospect of losing municipalities at the polls.

The good thing is that its leaders — even Ramaphosa — are very much aware of this.

The problem, however, is not awareness, but the ANC putting its money where its mouth is.

So, when Ramaphosa takes to the podium this