ANC at its weakest since advent of democracy - Ramaphosa
ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa says the governing party is at its weakest and most vulnerable since the advent of democracy.
He delivered the opening address at the party’s national policy conference in Johannesburg on Friday.
Ramaphosa said weaknesses, distrust and frustrations expressed by many people towards the movement and government were evident as reflected in the last local government elections, where the ANC, for the first time, secured less than 50% of national votes.
"Our weaknesses are reflected in many of our branches, which are not involved in the lives of their communities but are activated only for the purpose of electing delegates for conferences or nominating candidates for public office."
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"Our weaknesses are evident in the distance between our public representatives and the people they are meant to serve."
He said the most striking is that it's evident in the divisions within the ranks.
"These are not divisions about policies or ideology, but are driven by the competition for positions, the contestation of structures and the pursuit of access to public resources."
Ramaphosa said despite this, the party is showing signs of renewal and its continuing to work on many issues.
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