President Cyril Ramaphosa has secured reelection as leader of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress, defeating former Health Minister Zweli Mkhize in a closely watched leadership contest that exposed deep divisions within the governing party.
Ramaphosa won 2,476 votes against Mkhize’s 1,897 from 4,386 ballots cast by delegates at the ANC’s national conference in Johannesburg. His supporters erupted in celebration as the results were announced late Monday, securing him another term at the helm of the party that has governed South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994.
The victory provides a major political boost for Ramaphosa at a time when his leadership has come under intense pressure over corruption allegations tied to the Phala Phala farm scandal. The reelection also positions him to seek a second term as South Africa’s president in the 2024 national elections.
Victory After Weeks of Political Pressure
Ramaphosa entered the conference facing one of the biggest political crises of his presidency after a parliamentary panel concluded he may have breached anti corruption laws linked to large sums of undeclared foreign currency allegedly hidden at his Phala Phala game farm.
The report questioned the source of the cash and criticized his handling of the theft investigation after money was reportedly stolen from the property in 2020. Opposition parties and some ANC members called on him to resign, while rivals inside the party sought to use the controversy to weaken his support ahead of the leadership vote.
Last week, however, Ramaphosa survived an attempt to launch impeachment proceedings after ANC lawmakers used their parliamentary majority to block the move.
Although weakened politically by the scandal, Ramaphosa managed to improve on his narrow victory margin from the ANC’s 2017 leadership race, when he defeated his opponent by only 179 votes. This time, he secured victory by 579 votes.
ANC Divisions Remain Deeply Entrenched
Despite Ramaphosa’s win, analysts say the conference highlighted the widening factional battles inside the ANC, with nearly half of delegates backing Mkhize and the grouping aligned with former President Jacob Zuma.
Zuma, who was forced to resign in 2018 amid corruption allegations, remains influential within sections of the party and has repeatedly criticized Ramaphosa’s leadership and anti corruption campaign.
Political analysts noted that Mkhize’s strong showing demonstrated the continuing strength of Ramaphosa’s internal opposition.
“Mkhize won the backing of 43 percent of delegates,” said Africa analyst Aleix Montana, noting that the result underlined persistent resistance to Ramaphosa within the ANC.
Mkhize himself has also faced controversy. He resigned as health minister after investigations found that members of his family benefited from a government communications contract during the COVID 19 pandemic.
Economic Crisis Dominates Conference
The ANC conference unfolded against a backdrop of mounting economic frustration across South Africa, with the country struggling through rolling nationwide electricity blackouts, high unemployment and growing public anger over corruption and poor governance.
South Africa has experienced severe power cuts lasting more than seven hours a day in some regions, while unemployment remains around 35 percent, one of the highest rates globally.
Speaking during the conference, Ramaphosa acknowledged that his government shared responsibility for the country’s electricity crisis and promised increased investment in renewable energy to stabilize power supplies.
He also renewed pledges to tackle corruption within government and the ANC, despite criticism from opponents who argue the party has failed to adequately address graft after years of scandals involving senior officials.
Ramaphosa Critics Sidelined
The conference also saw some of Ramaphosa’s most vocal critics inside government lose influence.
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who supported impeachment proceedings against Ramaphosa in parliament days earlier, declined a nomination to contest the ANC presidency.
Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, another outspoken critic of Ramaphosa, appeared increasingly isolated during the gathering.
South African media speculated that Ramaphosa may reshuffle his Cabinet following the conference to consolidate control over the government and reduce internal opposition.
New ANC Leadership Team Elected
Delegates also elected a new ANC leadership structure that will shape the party’s direction ahead of the next national election.
Paul Mashatile was elected deputy president of the ANC, while Gwede Mantashe retained his role as national chairman.
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula was elected secretary general, one of the party’s most powerful organizational positions. His deputies will be Nomvula Mokonyane and Maropene Ramokgopa, while Gwen Ramokgopa was chosen as treasurer general.
Challenges Ahead For ANC
While Ramaphosa’s reelection secures his immediate political survival, analysts warn that divisions inside the ANC remain unresolved and could continue to undermine governance.
Political analyst Hlengiwe Ndlovu said Ramaphosa had failed to unite the party after his first leadership victory in 2017 and now faces pressure to prove he can stabilize both the ANC and the country.
“Even though he was promising unity, he never unified them,” Ndlovu said. “Instead, all we saw were widening divisions and factionalism.”
Some delegates nevertheless argued that Ramaphosa deserved more time to implement reforms and steer South Africa through its economic and political difficulties.
Mandilakhe Kondile, a delegate from the Eastern Cape, said Ramaphosa now had “a second chance” to address the country’s problems and restore unity within the ANC.
The outcome of the conference is expected to shape South African politics in the run up to the 2024 elections, with the ANC facing growing pressure from opposition parties and declining public trust after years of economic stagnation, corruption scandals and deteriorating public services.
