African National Congress (ANC) deputy president, Paul Mashatile, has addressed the party’s challenges at the South African Communist Party (SACP) Fifth Special National Congress in Boksburg.
In his speech, he called for unity, decisive action, and inclusive growth to rebuild trust with the electorate while emphasising a renewed commitment to the National Democratic Revolution and socio-economic justice.
Mashatile’s address did not shy away from the harsh realities faced by the ANC after its strategic setback in the May elections, where the party garnered only 40% of the vote, falling short of forming a government independently.
“As we convene today, we must confront the harsh reality that the African National Congress, the leader of the alliance, suffered a strategic setback in the recent elections held in May.
Our determination to secure a decisive victory and advance our transformation agenda fell short. Instead, we achieved only 40% of the vote, leaving us unable to form a government independently.” He said.
Reflecting on the campaign trail, Mashatile noted his optimism at the time, sharing that he confidently predicted a 57% victory.
“During the campaign, I witnessed vibrant energy and optimism as I traveled across the country. When asked about our prospects, I confidently predicted we’d achieve 57%, while others estimated 60% or more. The final result of 40% was a significant shock to our leadership.” he admitted.
This electoral outcome, Mashatile argued, was a clear message from voters.
“We respect and accept the will of the people. Some of our supporters stayed away, and those who voted did so in a way that denied any party a clear majority. Their decision must be honoured, and it is not our place to insult or criticise them,” he said.
In response, the ANC has undertaken an extensive analysis to understand the reasons behind this decline, with Mashatile highlighting surprising outcomes in KwaZulu-Natal .
Despite drawing large crowds at rallies, the party lost significant votes to Jacob Zuma's MK Party.
“This prompted us to engage in deep reflection and discussions at every level—regional, provincial, national, and international,” he explained.
Mashatile reaffirmed the ANC’s commitment to collaboration through the establishment of a Government of National Unity (GNU), which brought together parties willing to uphold shared principles.
These include respect for the Constitution, the rule of law, social justice, and the alleviation of poverty. Leaders joining the GNU signed formal agreements affirming their dedication to these principles.
“These principles now serve as the foundation of our partnership, ensuring we stay focused on defending and advancing the goals of the National Democratic Revolution,” Mashatile noted.
Looking ahead, Mashatile underscored the need for a developmental state capable of driving inclusive economic growth, creating jobs, and addressing the high cost of living.
He highlighted the ongoing implementation of the Economic Recovery and Reconstruction Plan, which prioritises infrastructure development, industrialisation, and support for small businesses and township enterprises.
“We must also focus on speeding up execution,” Mashatile emphasised.
“Often, we have great policies and priorities, but the pace of implementation is too slow. Speed of execution must now guide all our efforts.”
Addressing energy challenges, Mashatile celebrated progress made in expanding energy generation capacity, noting that South Africa had gone nearly 300 days without major power outages.
However, he cautioned against complacency, stressing that load-shedding must become a thing of the past.
IOL politics