ANC Vows To Transform South Africa, But Citizens Are Skeptical

Holifil

04 Apr, 2025

The African National Congress (ANC) has unveiled plans to revamp South Africa, promising big changes for the nation.
Key initiatives include rebuilding the railways, enhancing water systems, and strengthening local governance to improve services for everyone.
Many South Africans have expressed doubt, claiming they've heard similar promises for decades without much to show for it.

The ANC NEC members outlined their vision to make South Africa a better place for all. Image: @MbalulaFikile Source: Twitter

GAUTENG - The African National Congress (ANC) says it's committed to creating a brighter future for South Africa, but many citizens remain skeptical. The party recently held a press briefing on January 28, 2025, where Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula shared some of their key resolutions aimed at turning the country around. However, the reaction from the public has been less than enthusiastic.

The ANC convened its Lekgotla meeting, bringing together leaders and alliance partners to strategize after a tough showing in the 2024 national elections. The party dropped below the 50% mark for the first time, securing just 40.19% of the vote. With such a loss, the ANC is now under pressure to deliver on promises that have been made before.

Addressing Infrastructure Challenges

During the briefing, Mbalula emphasized the urgent need to tackle infrastructure backlogs across the country. This includes fixing water, sanitation, roads, and rail systems, especially in rural and underserved areas where access to basic services is still a major issue. The ANC plans to establish a specialized task force to oversee water system development and maintenance, ensuring every community has access to clean, safe drinking water.

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Fikile Mbalula outlined some of the key resolutions discussed during the Lekgotla. Image: @MbalulaFikile Source: Twitter

Revitalizing South Africa's Railway System

Mbalula announced that the Lekgotla also resolved to prioritize rebuilding the country’s railway network. The ANC plans to invest heavily in PRASA and other public transport projects, focusing on rehabilitating rail infrastructure nationwide.

“Our goal is to upgrade station facilities, enhance security measures, and ensure passenger safety. This is a critical step toward modernizing our public transport system and improving the quality of life for all South Africans,” Mbalula explained.

Strengthening Local Government for Better Service Delivery

Mbalula also highlighted the importance of local government in delivering essential services to communities. The ANC plans to bolster local governance structures to ensure more efficient and effective service delivery. Their strategy involves working closely with municipalities to address long-standing service delivery backlogs and ensuring citizens in every corner of the country receive the support they need.

“We recognize the critical role local government plays in improving people’s lives. That’s why we’re committed to strengthening these structures and ensuring they’re equipped to meet the needs of our citizens,” Mbalula added.

Citizen Reaction: Cynicism and Criticism

While the ANC’s resolutions might sound promising, the response from South Africans has been overwhelmingly negative. Social media users have voiced their frustration, pointing out that they've heard these same promises for years with little to no progress. It's not just ordinary citizens who are unimpressed; political opponents have also chimed in.

On January 1, 2025, the MK Party criticized President Cyril Ramaphosa’s leadership, calling 2024 a year of unfulfilled promises. Many Twitter users echoed similar sentiments:

“You can’t rebuild railways and modernize them without first addressing the crime rampant on our railway lines,” said @iplenis.

@Sening1235 added:

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“The ANC has destroyed everything it touches. Some towns are literally drowning in sewage.”

@StefanMaree1 stated:

“You inherited a functioning passenger and goods rail system. It took you 30 years to almost dismantle it. Now you want to ‘rebuild’ it? Seriously? How? When? It’s baffling.”

@KatlehojamesKj shared:

“Every Lekgotla ends with the same resolutions, yet there’s never any real progress.”

@PantoSetlhodi chimed in:

“Fikile, why should we take you seriously when you’ve been saying the same thing for 30 years and we’re still in the same spot—if not worse?”

@Swm389Willie summed it up:

“Empty words.”

@ENPTweet joked:

“I’ve read all this before. Some of it dates back decades, and yet not a single action has been taken. It’s like watching a clown show.”

President Ramaphosa’s Focus: Crime and Economic Growth

According to Briefly News, President Cyril Ramaphosa outlined six priority actions and specific tasks he aims to achieve in 2025. At the top of his list is rejuvenating the ANC following their underwhelming performance in the 2024 elections.

Ramaphosa stressed the importance of addressing crime and boosting economic growth. However, many South Africans remain unconvinced, pointing out that they’ve heard these promises repeatedly in the past without seeing tangible results.