JOHANNESBURG - The ANC’s crucial National General Council is underway in Boksburg.
Party President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged members to rebuild public trust, rethink outdated approaches and root out corruption.
The gathering carries significant political weight.
Past NGCs have reshaped leadership battles, including the 2005 council that helped pave the way for Jacob Zuma’s rise.
Political analyst Sanet Solomon says this moment is pivotal for the party.
“It gives the ANC an opportunity to reflect on what happened last year when it lost the election, to review its overall standing, how it’s perceived across different communities and provinces, and what this means for the 2026 local government elections.”
Solomon said it's time for the ANC to do some planning and that it's a key time for them to meet.
She says the mid-term review has laid bare how severely weakened the ANC is, pointing to deep structural problems.
“What’s interesting this time is how open they are about the challenges they’re facing and what they’re trying to fix.”
She says public dissatisfaction remains high.
“Corruption keeps coming up, and if the ANC wants to reconnect with communities, it will need serious groundwork.
"That means local councillors must be properly supported,” she said.
Solomon says the party faces a long list of issues that still need to be resolved.