The African National Congress (ANC) will convene its 5th National General Council (NGC) on Monday, with the party confirming that all preparations have been completed. The NGC is the ANC’s highest review platform between national conferences and is used to assess policy implementation, organisational performance, and progress on resolutions.
ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said final checks have been concluded and the organisation is fully prepared for delegates to begin their work. A total of 687 journalists and media personnel have registered to cover the meeting, making it one of the most widely attended NGCs in recent years.
“The ANC is ready. The delegates are ready. Most importantly, the people of South Africa are ready for this moment of organisational introspection and decisive progress,” Bhengu said.
The previous NGC was held in October 2015. That gathering took place during a period of internal strain and public criticism. Delegates debated organisational discipline, declining electoral support, governance challenges, and concerns over factionalism. The 2015 council adopted key proposals on renewal, accountability, and strengthening branch structures.
Since then, issues raised in 2015 have continued to shape ANC internal discussions. The organisation has faced reduced voter support, instability in several municipalities, and ongoing demands to restore credibility and improve service delivery. Renewal has remained a central theme at its 2017 and 2022 national conferences.
In its statement, the ANC said the 2025 NGC will review progress on the renewal programme and assess both achievements and setbacks in advancing its political and organisational agenda. Delegates will examine governance performance across different spheres of the state and evaluate how previous resolutions have been implemented.
The party also noted concerns about what it describes as attempts by some political formations to “appropriate” elements of its liberation history. It said the NGC will focus on strengthening organisational integrity and reconnecting with communities.
The council opens on Monday and will continue over several days as delegates work through policy reports, organisational assessments and strategic planning for the year ahead.
