AS THE policy conference drew to a close there was just one question everyone wanted answered: has President Cyril Ramaphosa been able to secure a second term as head of the African National Congress?
The answer is about as quintessentially South African as it gets: ja, no, well, maybe. Ramaphosa may have won several battles at the party's policy conference held recently in KwaZulu-Natal. But experts say he still has plenty of problems to deal with and faces an uphill battle to hold on to power.
There are Eskom's rolling blackouts, the country being in economic turmoil, a lack of state capture kingpins being punished, his Phala Phala game farm cash-in-the-couch scandal, and the ANC's Radical Economic Transformation (RET) faction plotting his downfall, among other things.
We speak to experts to find out if the country's No 1 citizen can triumph when the ANC chooses it a leader in December or if his time at the top is coming to an end.
CONFERENCE CONFLICT
The policy conference was a mixed bag, experts say.
Many ANC members didn’t hold back in showing their opposition to Ramaphosa.
But their efforts didn’t derail any of his policies, including the step-aside rule for ANC members embroiled in legal matters.
“In KZN, where a younger generation is rising, opposition to Ramaphosa is more open and these delegates felt free to vent,” says political analyst Professor Susan Booysen.
Ramaphosa spoke about the party’s mandate to renew its values, ethics, and political culture and to deal decisively with corruption and unacceptable conduct.
The ANC, he told attendees, must pursue the aspirations of South Africans and use state resources responsibly.
But is it all just more of the same?
This story is from the 18 August 2022 edition of YOU South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the 18 August 2022 edition of YOU South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL!
Kourtney Kardashian and other celebs are honouring the glory of new moms' postpartum bodies
LEON'S ORDEAL IS NO JOKE
Pain has dominated entertainer Leon Schuster's life after a serious back injury landed him in bed. But despite being depressed he remains hopeful he will recover so he can get back to work
'BREAK THE SILENCE'
That's the message of the Scottish comedian who turned his experience of stalking and sexual abuse into a hit Netflix show
A PLACE OF HOPE AND HEALING
Damaged people and abused dogs find a safe haven and a chance to start again at this farm in the Cape Winelands
FROM SPERM DONOR TO DAD OF 37
Peter Ellenstein's life took an unexpected turn when a message from a daughter he never knew he had led to him meeting dozens of his children and exploring what it means to be a father without ever having raised them
GRATEFUL FOR EVERY BREATH
A double lung transplant has given this chef a second chance at life - and he'll never forget the young man who made it possible
THE GAMES ARE GO!
Preparations are well under way in the City of Lights for the world's greatest sporting spectacle
MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT
We break down what the new rules are and what to expect for the seventh national elections later this month
TOM'S A TOP GIFTER
He's known to go ALL OUT for his movies and stunts, so it's no surprise TOM CRUISE also PULLS OUT ALL THE STOPS for his friends when it comes to GIFTS
TAMING THE BEAST
Recognising and managing your anger can make for a happier and healthier you