The African National Congress (ANC) has firmly denied rumors that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa intends to resign in the wake of the party’s disappointing performance in the 2026 local government elections. Reports suggesting that Ramaphosa offered to step down were dismissed as false by ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu, who emphasized that neither the president nor the party’s leadership is currently under pressure to resign.
The ANC has experienced a notable decline in electoral support over recent years. After losing its parliamentary majority for the first time in the 2024 general elections, where it captured around 40% of the vote, the party’s support further dwindled to approximately 30.75% in the 2026 local government elections. This marked decrease has prompted calls for introspection within the party.
In preparation for the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, Bhengu highlighted the necessity for a collective assessment of the election results by party leaders. She took the opportunity to commend President Ramaphosa for his efforts during the campaign, noting his extensive nationwide visits and leadership throughout the election period.
While Bhengu acknowledged that discussions about potential leadership changes or collective resignations could arise as part of the election assessment, she clarified that the immediate focus of the upcoming NEC meeting would be to establish a mandate for the party’s negotiators. This approach suggests that the ANC is prioritizing strategic planning and negotiation over immediate leadership changes in response to the election setback.