Portrait of Cyril Ramaphosa
Politician · organisation
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Cyril Ramaphosa on ANC

ANC Renewal Advocate (strong)

TL;DR

Cyril Ramaphosa is committed to renewing the African National Congress to restore its integrity and public image.

Key Points

  • He was elected President of the ANC on 18 December 2017 at the party's 54th National Conference.

  • His renewal project includes implementing a 'step-aside rule' to suspend ANC leaders accused of corruption.

  • He previously served as ANC Secretary-General from 1991, following the party's unbanning, under President Nelson Mandela.

Summary

Cyril Ramaphosa, as the President of the African National Congress (ANC), maintains a core position centered on the internal renewal and restoration of the organization's integrity. His tenure as ANC President, beginning in December 2017, has been characterized by a pledge to stamp out corruption within the party. This commitment has manifested in spearheading campaigns aimed at internal renewal and actively working to restore public trust in the governing party. A key mechanism for this renewal has been the implementation of a 'step-aside rule' to suspend ANC leaders facing corruption charges, a move that has generated internal friction.

This effort to transform the ANC is set against the backdrop of the party's long history and ongoing challenges. He previously served in key positions, including Secretary-General under Nelson Mandela, and was elected ANC President at the 54th National Conference. Despite criticisms and internal resistance, particularly from factions linked to his predecessor, he has emphasized that the party must give life to its core themes, such as decisive action, to move forward. This focus on renewal is seen as essential for the ANC to maintain its governing mandate and address the expectations placed upon the national liberation movement.

Key Quotes

"Anticipatory self-defence is not permitted under international law and self-defence cannot be based on assumption or anticipation."

"Africa is already experiencing the impact of escalating conflict in the Middle East, with strains on supply chains and higher energy prices. Now we are going to be a victim of conflicts that are taking place far away from where we are,"

Frequently Asked Questions

Cyril Ramaphosa's main focus for the African National Congress is to lead a renewal project aimed at stamping out internal corruption and restoring the party's integrity. He believes this is crucial for the organization to meet public expectations. He has championed internal reforms to achieve this goal.

He has actively dealt with internal corruption by spearheading a campaign for ANC renewal, which notably includes implementing the 'step-aside rule.' This rule mandates the suspension of ANC leaders who face serious criminal charges. The implementation of this policy has sometimes led to internal conflict.

While he returned to frontline ANC politics to run on an anti-corruption platform in 2017, his history shows long involvement, including serving as Secretary-General. His current strong emphasis on renewal is a defining feature of his ANC presidency since late 2017.