African National Congress (ANC) President Cyril Ramaphosa conducted a walkabout and mobilization programme in Phokeng on Thursday, part of the lead-up to the party’s annual January 8th Statement celebrations scheduled for Saturday in Moruleng, North West.
This year’s event marks the 114th anniversary of the ANC’s formation. The live broadcast from the scene showed streets adorned in the party’s green and gold colours as President Ramaphosa interacted with residents.
According to the reporter on the ground, the community’s response was mixed. While many expressed excitement at seeing the president, others directly confronted him with persistent service delivery challenges. The president was seen acknowledging grievances, specifically citing issues of water scarcity, potholes, electricity supply, and high unemployment in the province. He assured residents that the government was working to address these problems.
Following the walkabout, President Ramaphosa paid a courtesy visit to the offices of Bafokeng King, Kgosi Leruo Molotlegi. The private meeting, described as a customary act of respect for local leadership, is part of the ruling party’s buildup activities.
The anniversary and mobilization efforts occur against a pivotal political backdrop. The reporter noted that 2024 saw the ANC fail to secure an outright national majority for the first time since 1994, resulting in a Government of National Unity. The party now faces looming local government elections, with its traditional alliance partner, the South African Communist Party (SACP), having declared it will campaign independently.
The North West Province, where the ANC still holds significant support, was highlighted as an area where local government service delivery has repeatedly failed residents. The reporter concluded that the party’s engagements this week are a critical test of its ability to reconnect with voters and alter its political fortunes ahead of the upcoming polls.
The main January 8th anniversary celebration is set to take place on Saturday in Moruleng, where the party is expected to outline its policy priorities for the year.