South African President Cyril Ramaphosa directly addressed growing speculation about his possible resignation, saying he is prepared to step down if the ruling African National Congress (ANC) asks him to do so. The ANC leadership, however, firmly dismissed the rumors as “pure fiction.”
Speaking at an ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Johannesburg on Monday, Ramaphosa said he wanted to give a “clear response” to days of media and social-media reports claiming he would resign after the G20 Leaders’ Summit.
“If the party wants me to resign, I can do it tomorrow. Those who oppose me should say it openly, not behind closed doors,” Ramaphosa told NEC members, adding that the ANC “must never be run through mafia-style tactics.”
ANC: Ramaphosa will finish his term
After the meeting, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula strongly rejected the claims that Ramaphosa intended to quit.
“The idea that President Ramaphosa will resign is a complete fantasy. Some people are chasing this fantasy, but it has no basis in reality,” Mbalula said, stressing that the president will complete his term.
Mbalula said the rumors were pushed by a group aligned with former NEC member and former Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba, adding that Gigaba would have to resign from his remaining party roles.
Internal tensions
Since taking office in 2018, Ramaphosa has faced persistent pressure from rival factions within the ANC and from ongoing corruption-related investigations. Internal divisions became even more visible after the ANC lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since 1994 in the 2024 general elections, forcing the party into a coalition government.
Although no formal call for Ramaphosa’s resignation was made during the NEC meeting, the renewed debate over leadership and the presence of competing factions signal the possibility of further tensions within the party in the weeks ahead.