Ramaphosa urges ANC members to rebuild party structures, avoid succession debate talks

Johnathan Paoli

President Cyril Ramaphosa has cautioned ANC members against using the party’s branches as tools for division or as platforms to further agendas of individual leaders.

Ramaphosa’s remarks, delivered at the close of the party’s three-day NEC meeting in Boksburg on Sunday, come amid ongoing internal challenges within the ANC, including discussions around who will succeed him as ANC President in 2027.

A recent diagnostic report revealed that a number of branches had been repurposed for furthering the agendas of individuals, in clear contradiction of the party’s constitutional definition of the role and purpose of a branch.

“We need to build branches that are political, not transactional or captured for individual career advancement or sectional interests,” he said.

“We decided that our renewal programme focus on rebuilding branches to become vibrant and activist branches, with clear programmes of action that address the tasks of the National Democratic Revolution.”

Ramaphosa