JOHANNESBURG - The ANC’s National General Council (NGC) begins in Ekurhuleni on Monday.
The party uses this midterm forum to review the implementation of its resolutions. The ANC stands at a political crossroads as it faces declining electoral support.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed the importance of the NGC by noting its role in reviewing the performance of the ANC. But, as demonstrated at the 2005 NGC, the forum can easily morph into a staging ground for looming leadership fights.
Weeks after then President Thabo Mbeki fired his deputy from government after the NPA announced its plan to charge him for corruption, Zuma voluntarily stepped aside from all his ANC duties.
That NGC, in 2005, reinstated Zuma to his ANC roles which led to him replacing Mbeki in 2007.
During its last NGC in 2015, the ANC held 62 percent of the national vote. But infighting that resulted in the breakaway formation of the MK Party, led by Zuma, brought the former liberation movement to below 50 percent.
Delegates will have a lot to discuss during their 5 day meeting, but the party’s general secretary, Fikile Mbalula, cautions there are limits.
"They say hey NGC they’re going to remove the president. There’s nothing like that. We’ve got a fantastic president, we support him."
Nearly 1,700 party members are expected to gather at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg.