President Ramaphosa applauds ANC 30 years of triumph

President Cyril Ramaphosa has hailed the “significant progress” achieved by the African National Congress (ANC)

The president gave the commendation during a monumental event on Saturday.

Decked out in the party’s iconic green and yellow colors, Ramaphosa urged a massive crowd of ANC supporters to reflect on the nation’s current state compared to the one inherited from Nelson Mandela in 1994.

Despite challenges such as internal strife, public disillusionment, financial constraints, corruption allegations, economic woes, power cuts, and rising crime rates, President Ramaphosa remains optimistic about the ANC’s standing in the upcoming parliamentary vote expected between May and August.

Polls suggest a potential drop below 50 percent for the ANC, a historic first that could lead to a coalition government.

Addressing the lively audience at Mbombela Stadium in the northeast, Ramaphosa, with a festival atmosphere in full swing, took a moment to indirectly reference his predecessor Jacob Zuma.

Zuma, still influential, has formed a political alliance with former ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule, expelled last year over graft allegations.

Ramaphosa’s spirited speech acknowledged ANC supporters, including the veterans of Umkhonto We Sizwe (MK), the party’s historic military wing.

Amid the challenges, he pledged a commitment to the “reconstruction of our economy” in the face of a staggering 32 percent unemployment rate and reiterated efforts to combat crime and corruption.

In a lighthearted moment, the 71-year-old leader praised the nation’s youth, specifically acknowledging the global impact of “amapiano music” and jokingly expressing his intent to learn the dance, promising to teach the national chairperson once he masters it himself.

The event marked a crucial juncture in ANC’s journey, emphasizing both acknowledgment of past accomplishments and determination for a future marked by resilience and progress.