Senzo Mchunu: ANC took voters for granted, urges reforms
ANC NEC member Senzo Mchunu warned that the ANC faces collapse and will lose power if it fails to implement urgent reforms.
Speaking at the tombstone unveiling of anti-apartheid activist Nokuhamba Nyawo in Machobeni, KwaZulu-Natal, over the weekend, Mchunu said the 2026 local government elections will be a decisive moment for the ANC's survival.
Mchunu: ANC 'walking on the edge of a cliff'
Mchunu likened the ANC to 'a person walking on the edge of a cliff,' urging leaders to regroup before it is too late.
ADVERTISEMENT
He cautioned that if the ANC fails to win next year's municipal elections, the party will risk losing power and may not survive the next national elections in its current state.
'We became big-headed and took the people for granted they punished us. But there's still time to mend our ways,' he admitted, acknowledging the party had alienated its base.
His remarks come as the ANC grapples with internal divisions, declining public trust, and its worst electoral showing since 1994.
Calls to Rebuild Trust
According to IOL, KwaZulu-Natal ANC coordinator Mike Mabuyakhulu expressed confidence that the party is rebuilding its support base.
'We don't want coalitions. We want to lead alone again,' he said.
The event also honoured Nyawo's legacy, recalling her role in sheltering Umkhonto weSizwe cadres during apartheid.
ADVERTISEMENT
Her memory was invoked as a reminder of how far the ANC has drifted from its revolutionary roots.
Reform or Extinction
With the 2026 elections drawing near, Mchunu's message was clear: the ANC must reform or face political extinction.
Can the ANC regain the trust of voters before the 2026 elections, or is its era of dominance coming to an end?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Residents of KZN back new political movement: the rise of Mayibuye
National Convenor of Mayibuye iAfrika Floyd Shivambu says the movement is not a breakaway from the ANC, EFF, MK Party, saying it will grow bigger than all of the three parties. Image: X@FloydShivambu The political landscape of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) may be on the brink of transformation as the Mayibuye iAfrika movement, led by convener Vusi Khoza, gathers significant momentum from local residents. Mayibuye held a series of consultative sessions across the province over a few days, which ended with a gathering at the Hollywood Bets Greyville Racecourse yesterday. The Old Prison in Pietermaritzburg was the venue for the first session on Wednesday. All the consultations were led by Bishop Stephen Zondo. Khoza announced that the majority of attendees expressed strong support for the formation of a new political party, with the main purpose to address the needs and aspirations of KZN's diverse population. 'We are happy with the turnout. The people of KZN have endorsed Mayibuye and unanimously backed the idea of starting a new political movement. We are definitely forming a political party. The people of KZN will overwhelmingly support and vote for Mayibuye,' he stated. His confidence underscored a burgeoning belief that the new party could resonate deeply with voters already disillusioned by existing political structures. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Among the attendees was Ntokozo Ndlovu, a student at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, who shared her vision for the movement, highlighting its potential to appeal to young, educated voters and the middle class. 'I believe Mayibuye would represent the majority,' she noted. 'I welcome the idea of forming a political movement that will serve as an alternative to the current political parties, which are not serving the needs of many people,' said Ndlovu. Her fervent support for the movement stems from her belief in the leadership of Floyd Shivambu, whom she viewed as a knowledgeable and capable figure in South African politics. Samkelo Mthembu from Richards Bay echoed Ndlovu's sentiments and praised Shivambu's political journey, asserting that any party that let him go had lost a valuable asset. Mthembu recounted his long-standing commitment to Shivambu's vision, reflecting on their shared history within the ANC Youth League. 'We believe in you, we know you,' he passionately stated to the crowd, underscoring the personal connections that underpinned the movement's appeal. However, political analyst Siphamandla Zondi offered a cautious perspective on the movement's potential to translate enthusiasm into actual votes in the upcoming elections. 'It is not yet clear how much support would translate into votes, whether in by-elections or full elections. The turnout at consultations cannot firmly confirm the presence of support,' he explained. Zondi's insights revealed the complexities of voter mobilisation and the need for effective campaigning strategies to turn vocal support into electoral success. He pointed out that while charisma was an essential component of leadership, organisational capacity plays an equally crucial role. He suggested that the Mayibuye movement could potentially mirror the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in its formative years, aiming for significant impact despite being a smaller entity, and perhaps even becoming a 'kingmaker' in future elections. As the movement prepared to translate its grassroots support into broader political traction, all eyes will be on their campaign strategies leading up to the upcoming local elections. While addressing supporters in Durban on Sunday, Shivambu revealed that eight provinces had given him the go-ahead to form a political movement, which included a political party that will contest elections, starting with next year's local government elections. He said the political movement will consist of civil society organisations, civic organisations, and a workers' union, amongst others. DAILY NEWS
TimesLIVE
an hour ago
- TimesLIVE
South Africa's Q2 farm exports to US surge but tariffs dampen prospects
South Africa's produce exports to the US rose 26% in the second quarter after strong harvests, agriculture minister John Steenhuisen said on Monday, but a 30% tariff imposed by President Donald Trump could affect future shipments. South Africa is fighting for lower tariffs in a proposed trade deal with the US after it was given the highest rate in Sub-Saharan Africa. The US is South Africa's second-biggest bilateral trading partner after China. The country exports mainly citrus, grapes, apples, pears, nuts and wine to the US and has warned that tens of thousands of jobs in the agricultural sector could be lost due to the impact of tariffs. The value of exports from Africa's most advanced economy to the US was $161m (R2.84bn) during the quarter, Steenhuisen said. 'The recent imposition of a 30% tariff on our exports by the US has brought to light the urgent need to diversify our export markets and enhance our competitiveness to mitigate the economic impact of losing preferential trade access,' Steenhuisen said. In the first quarter of 2025, South African agricultural exports to the US were $118m (R2.08bn), up by 19% year-on-year, he added.
Daily Maverick
2 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
SA's gas gamble with Trump — what is love, and why does it cost $1bn?
In the latest episode of Politically Aweh, the drama goes global. Comedians KG Mokgadi and Zoë Human unpack the stormy South Africa-US relationship, from awkward Oval Office encounters to high-stakes trade talks, and ask whether our leaders are safeguarding the nation's economic future or serving it up to Big Oil on a shiny silver platter. This month, the US slapped a 30% tariff on South African exports, a move some estimate could threaten up to 100,000 jobs. It's the latest blow in an already fractious relationship and a sign that President Cyril Ramaphosa's first attempt at a trade deal with Donald Trump's administration has failed. As South Africa's negotiators scramble to table an even 'more ambitious' deal in hopes of reversing the tariffs, Politically Aweh questions whether bowing to Trump's demands – including a proposed $1-billion-a-year liquefied natural gas (LNG) purchase for a decade – is really in the country's best interests. After all, didn't Ramaphosa promise during his February State of the Nation address that 'we will not be bullied'? The episode rewinds to trace the relationship from its 'strained situationship' under President Joe Biden to Trump's personal fixation with South Africa and his recycling of far-right talking points about land reform. It examines the May 2025 White House meeting where Ramaphosa sought to reset ties, offering LNG purchases in exchange for duty-free quotas on steel, aluminium and car parts, and continued access to the US car market. Talks collapsed, and tariffs came into force on 7 August – but insiders say the deal is still on the table. The big question: Will South Africa sell out its climate commitments to appease Trump and his fossil fuel industry allies? For answers, KG speaks to political economist Professor Patrick Bond (University of Johannesburg) and puts the question directly to Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Dion George. A full podcast interview with the minister will be released by Politically Aweh next week. DM
