ANC party

Can the ANC pull itself together?

These are turbulent times for  South Africa’s governing ANC party.

It’s just ended a five-day mid-term review in Durban. Officially, the conference was meant to be looking at progress in implementing resolutions adopted at earlier meetings. In reality, the ANC is far from united, and policy differences are often a smokescreen as different factions jostle for power.

Many people in the ANC are unhappy with President Jacob Zuma; they see his leadership as weak and indecisive, and they’re reluctant to give him a second-term in office. So this was an important occasion for him, a chance to reassert his leadership.

Initially, I felt he did well. I was in the hall when he gave his opening address. When Zuma said the jostling for succession must stop, most delegates applauded and cheered.