Ramaphosa pledges 'new era of services' for South Africans, following NGC commitments

President Cyril Ramaphosa has hailed the ANC National General Council (NGC) for its “preparedness, discipline and focus,” using the closing session in Boksburg to send a message to party deployees: South Africans want results, not promises.

Ramaphosa on Thursday lauded ANC delegates for what he called an “impressive resurgence” in the governing party’s internal culture, saying their discipline and informed engagement at the NGC should translate into cleaner, faster and more accountable governance.

The NGC, held this week in Boksburg, gathered branches, regional leaders and national officials to refine the ANC’s policy direction, strengthen unity and sharpen transformation priorities.

Delegates adopted a declaration outlining commitments aimed at guiding the party from branch level to government — especially as the ANC moves into what it calls the “combat stage” of local government election preparations.

Ramaphosa said he was encouraged by the diversity, “calm, comradely” debates, and the quality of research and preparedness shown in commissions, arguing that such internal discipline is a prerequisite for improving the lives of citizens.

“When we read, when we research and when we think, we decide better. And when we decide better, our people live better,” he said.

The President noted that the NGC defied expectations of chaos, saying some critics and media observers “kept looking at loose chairs” anticipating disorder.

Instead, he said, delegates stayed engaged, attentive and focused on substance: “That shows improvement in the ANC — and more importantly, a refusal to be distracted.”

However, outside the conference halls, communities across the country continue to express deep frustration with the ANC’s performance in government.

For years, residents have complained about collapsing service delivery, persistent unemployment, failing infrastructure and broken local administration.

In many municipalities, water shortages, uncollected waste, potholes, electricity failures and stalled development projects have fuelled anger and disillusionment.

Ramaphosa acknowledged these concerns indirectly, stressing that the NGC had mandated the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to strengthen the party’s capacity within the Government of National Unity (GNU).

The NEC, he said, must drive immediate results on jobs, inclusive economic growth, tackling poverty and inequality, and fighting crime and corruption.

“Our people expect delivery, and they expect it now,” he said, urging deployees to match the discipline shown at the NGC with visible action on the ground.

As the ground moves towards the 2026 local government elections, Ramaphosa urged members to unite, sing one song and ensure that the ANC reclaims power in the polls.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

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