ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula
By Thabo Mosia
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula defended President Cyril Ramaphosa‘s leadership and issued a stern warning against Western interference in South Africa’s domestic affairs. Mbalula was addressing at the North West January 8 Celebrations on Saturday, 15 February 2025,
Speaking to a large crowd of ANC supporters in Rustenburg, North West, Mbalula emphasized the party’s commitment to national sovereignty, unity, and renewal. He highlighted the ANC’s 113-year legacy and called for a strong, disciplined movement that upholds the principles of the Freedom Charter, which marks 70 years in 2025.
Mbalula’s speech comes at a crucial time as South Africa faces growing tensions with Western nations, particularly the United States, over economic policies, foreign relations, and land reform. His message reaffirmed the ANC’s position on self-determination, economic transformation, and a resistance to foreign influence.
Mbalula Slams U.S. Interference in South African Affairs
Mbalula condemned the increasing pressure from Western powers, particularly the United States, in South Africa’s political and economic affairs. His remarks were in direct response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent executive order titled “Addressing Egregious Actions of the Republic of South Africa,” which:
• Halted all foreign aid to South Africa.
• Imposed sanctions on South African entities involved in land reform.
• Prioritised the resettlement of white South African farmers in the U.S. under a refugee programme.
Mbalula labelled the order as a “direct assault on our sovereignty and territorial integrity.” He accused the U.S. of attempting to bully South Africa into changing its economic policies and serving foreign interests at the expense of its people.
“America must not come into the affairs of a sovereign country like South Africa. We must fight and defend our country against the madness of Donald Trump,” he said.Mbalula also criticised local organisations that he claimed were collaborating with Western governments to destabilise South Africa. In particular, he called out AfriForum, a South African lobby group that has engaged with U.S. and European governments regarding land reform, farm attacks, and minority rights.
“AfriForum is acting against the interests of South Africans. Their actions are unpatriotic and border on treason. We will not allow foreign governments to dictate how we run our country,” Mbalula stated.His strong words align with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent stance against Western intervention, particularly regarding land expropriation and South Africa’s foreign policy on global conflicts, including its support for Palestine.
ANC Renewal and the 70th Anniversary of the Freedom Charter
Mbalula used his speech to highlight the importance of ANC renewal in 2025, calling on members to remain true to the ideals of the Freedom Charter, which was adopted in 1955.
He reminded ANC supporters of the Charter’s core principles, including:
• “The people shall govern.”
• “The doors of learning and culture shall be open to all.”
• “The land shall be shared among those who work it.”
• “The wealth of the country shall be shared among all.”
Mbalula acknowledged that while progress has been made, the ANC must do more to fulfil these principles. He urged party renewal through discipline, strong local governance, and economic policies that prioritise South Africans over foreign interests.
“This year, we must ask ourselves: What are we doing to advance the Freedom Charter? What are we doing to renew the African National Congress?” he asked.He outlined five key priorities for ANC renewal in 2025:
1. Strengthening local government to deliver services effectively.
2. Driving inclusive economic growth and prioritising youth employment.
3. Creating job opportunities for young graduates and professionals.
4. Fighting crime and gender-based violence (GBV) in communities.
5. Promoting national unity through dialogue to ensure South Africa belongs to all.
Mbalula emphasised that discipline within the ANC is crucial, stating:
“We must build a strong ANC. If the ANC is not strong, our country is not strong.”Local Government and Economic Growth: Key to ANC’s 2025 Strategy
One of Mbalula’s strongest messages was about improving local government, which has been plagued by corruption, mismanagement, and service delivery failures. He called on ANC councillors to work closely with communities to rebuild trust.
“Local government must work for our people. Councillors must be accountable, and municipalities must deliver basic services efficiently,” he said.He also stressed the importance of economic growth, particularly for the youth.
“When we create jobs, we must create jobs for the youth, but we must also focus on those beyond 35 years. No young person who has finished their degree should struggle to find work,” Mbalula stated.Mbalula further addressed concerns over rising crime and gender-based violence (GBV), calling for stronger law enforcement measures and community initiatives to combat violence against women and children.
‘One South Africa, One Passport’: Rejecting Divisions and Defending Sovereignty
Mbalula ended his speech with a passionate defence of South African sovereignty, urging unity against imperialism and foreign interference.
“We’ve got nowhere to go, comrades. South Africa is our beginning and our end. One passport, one South Africa,” he declared.He reaffirmed the ANC’s commitment to national independence, stating that external forces must not dictate South Africa’s policies.
“We must never allow the ANC to be destabilised by anarchy and ill-discipline. We will defend the unity of our party and our country,” Mbalula concluded.
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