Malatji
The ANC Youth League president, Collen Malatji, has come out strongly against President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent comments lauding Democratic Alliance-run municipalities, arguing that such praise undermines the ANC’s efforts and ignores the realities faced by many communities. Speaking amid growing speculation about internal ANC tensions, Malatji defended the party’s governance record while dismissing comparisons that favour the DA. His remarks highlight deepening divisions within the ruling party as it grapples with coalition politics and service delivery failures, particularly in the lead-up to the 2026 local government elections.
ANCYL President Fires Back at Ramaphosa’s DA Endorsement
The controversy erupted after Ramaphosa addressed ANC councillors at a special National Executive Committee meeting in Boksburg on 14 September 2025, where he praised DA-controlled municipalities for their efficiency and suggested the ANC could learn from them. “The DA runs better municipalities, and we must ask ourselves what they are doing differently,” Ramaphosa reportedly said, challenging his party to improve amid widespread criticism of ANC-led local governments. These comments, made during a “roll call” session aimed at revitalising municipal performance, have fuelled rumours of a potential leadership challenge against the president, with some factions viewing them as a sign of weakness or capitulation to coalition partners.
Malatji, in a statement on 19 September 2025, rejected the notion that the DA outperforms the ANC. “The DA can’t be better than the ANC,” he asserted, calling such comparisons “ignorant” and disconnected from ground realities. He specifically targeted Cape Town, the DA’s flagship city, accusing it of neglecting townships like Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, and Nyanga. “Cape Town ignores townships—residents there face daily struggles with poor service delivery, inadequate housing, and high crime, while the city centre thrives,” Malatji said. He argued that the DA’s successes are often exaggerated, pointing to persistent inequalities and failures in addressing apartheid-era spatial planning.
This is not the first time Malatji has clashed with party elders; as ANCYL president since 2023, he has positioned himself as a voice for radical economic transformation and youth empowerment, often criticising the ANC’s moderate policies. His latest salvo aligns with broader youth league frustrations over the ANC’s 2024 election losses, where the party dipped below 50% nationally, forcing coalitions with parties like the DA in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
Ramaphosa’s Comments Spark Ouster Speculation and Party Backlash
Ramaphosa’s praise for the DA has ignited speculation about his political future, with some ANC insiders linking it to fears of an early ouster. Reports from within the party suggest dissatisfaction among hardliners who view coalitions with the DA as a betrayal of the ANC’s liberation ethos. Political analyst Lukhona Mnguni noted that Ramaphosa’s remarks could be seen as “self-sabotage” in a party still healing from the Zuma era’s divisions. “By admitting the DA does better, he’s handing ammunition to his critics,” Mnguni told local media on 17 September 2025.
The president’s office defended the comments as a call for introspection and improvement, not endorsement. In a follow-up video released on 18 September 2025, Ramaphosa explained his intent: “We must learn from what works, even from our opponents, to deliver better services to our people.” He cited examples like Cape Town’s public transport and waste management systems as models, urging ANC councillors to adopt best practices without compromising ideology.
However, opposition parties seized on the admission. The GOOD Party, in a statement on 17 September 2025, rejected Ramaphosa’s praise, arguing it overlooks the DA’s failures in addressing inequality. “While the DA celebrates presidential praise, townships like Khayelitsha remain trapped in indignity,” the party said, echoing Malatji’s sentiments and sparking humorous debates on social media about ANC-DA tensions.
Broader Context: ANC’s Local Government Struggles vs DA’s Claims
The debate underscores South Africa’s polarised municipal landscape. ANC-run municipalities, controlling over 200 of the country’s 257 local governments, face criticism for poor service delivery, corruption, and infrastructure collapse. Recent Auditor-General reports for 2023/24 showed only 38 clean audits nationwide, with ANC strongholds like eThekwini and Johannesburg plagued by water shortages, potholes, and financial mismanagement.
In contrast, DA-led areas like Cape Town and Midvaal boast higher clean audit rates and better performance metrics, according to the 2024 Governance Performance Index. Cape Town, under Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis since 2021, has invested R120 billion in infrastructure over 10 years, focusing on water resilience and public transport. However, critics like Malatji argue this masks neglect in black townships, where informal settlements lack basic services. A 2025 study by the Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies found that 60% of Cape Town’s township residents report inconsistent water access, compared to 10% in suburbs.
Malatji urged a balanced view: “The DA is not performing anywhere—look at the inequalities in their cities. We must focus on ANC renewal, not praise rivals.” He called for ANC councillors to collaborate with communities and opposition where needed, but prioritise party mandates.
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