Cyril Ramaphosa is resolute in his commitment to guide the African National Congress (ANC) to success in the forthcoming 2024 election, notwithstanding recent electoral surveys forecasting a decrease in the party’s backing. He articulated this stance to journalists in Ekurhuleni, underscoring his unwavering determination to persevere in the face of the anticipated decline in the ANC’s approval.

By Staff Writer

The president of the ANC, Cyril Ramaphosa, has shrugged off recent research suggesting a possible dip in the ruling party’s influence and a wane in his appeal as the 2024 elections approach.

Ramaphosa was addressing the press after the conclusion of the ANC’s review of the 2019 manifesto.

The ANC, under Ramaphosa, is anticipated to encounter its most challenging election since assuming power in 1994, according to analysts. However, Ramaphosa expressed scepticism towards certain polls, stating that the accuracy of research findings is contingent upon the entity conducting the survey.

He further noted that polling companies have been known to make erroneous predictions at times.

“There is a new industry that has emerged in our country … And it’s always ‘the ANC is going down, the ANC is going to be less than 30%’. It’s almost reported with glee that ‘we got them now’.

“Everybody is now forming a poll group … polls have sometimes been completely off the mark. And I go on one poll, a poll of feeling the pulse of the people. That is the poll that I go with. When I go into a township, I tell my comrades that I want to go to places where people may not even want to see me. I’ll go there and engage with them.

“That for me is engaging with our people and feeling the pulse. They even have an opportunity to articulate their views and their anger. The more they are angry the more I want to engage them.”

Several research organisations have released reports suggesting that the ANC’s national electoral support in the upcoming elections could drop below 50%. Additionally, a separate study conducted by the Social Research Foundation (SRF) revealed that former president Thabo Mbeki was more favourably regarded than President Ramaphosa. The survey found that 57% of respondents expressed a positive view of Mbeki, compared to 44.4% for Ramaphosa.

He dismissed the SRF survey, noting that such occurrences are subjective and can be perceived differently depending on the perspective of the observer: “These things happen, and it depends on who is looking at it.”

Ramaphosa also addressed comments attributed to Mbeki, who reportedly stated that he was not willing to campaign for the ANC in the elections. Ramaphosa emphasized that the issue was being blown out of proportion and stressed the importance of everyone participating in the campaign.

However, he also acknowledged that if someone is unable to campaign, the work will continue regardless.