ANC National General Council: Ramaphosa calls for urgent action on poverty and inequality

President Cyril Ramaphosa called on delegates to the ANC's 5th National General Council (NGC) to prioritise addressing the socio-economic challenges of poverty, inequality, and child hunger plaguing the country.

The ANC NGC kicked off on Monday amid talks of succession battles within the organisation.

Ramaphosa's address to the delegates came just as the party recently dismissed any talks of leadership change and succession debates, with the party's Secretary General, Fikile Mbalula, saying the NGC will only discuss the party's policy direction and renewal agenda.

On Sunday, Ramaphosa addressed ANC delegates at a Presidential Gala Dinner organised by the Progressive Business Forum and the Progressive Citizens Forum at the Birchwood Hotel & O.R. Tambo Conference Centre on the eve of the NGC.

"We need to address the challenge of poverty, unemployment, and continuous inequality. We will need to discuss further actions that we will need to take to further stimulate inclusive growth, especially for young people. The NGC will also need to consider the high levels of hunger and malnutrition," he said.

Ramaphosa also took time to address the issue of trade tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump against South Africa and other African countries.

As an intervention, Ramaphosa revealed that the country is exploring other markets as a way to offset the impact of Trump's retaliatory tariffs between 10% and 50% on certain South African goods.

"In the midst of a turbulent trading environment and steeply rising tariffs, we are finding ourselves we are finding an appetite for South African goods in the new markets. We are travelling to many countries in the world. Ministers, the deputy president, and I are visiting several countries to reduce our dependence on one country that we do not want to single out," he said.

Mbalula, who held a media briefing on Sunday, described the five-day gathering as a defining gathering for the party's renewal era, saying there will be no succession debate discussion during this all-important gathering.

"The NGC is where the movement pauses, reflects, evaluates its progress, and strengthens its programme to transform the lives of our people. It is a moment of accountability and renewal; a moment to reaffirm the ANC as the only organisation capable of leading meaningful social and economic transformation in South Africa," he said.

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za