Amid renewed murmurings of internal division within the African National Congress, a controversial letter allegedly circulated among senior party figures in South Africa’s Eastern Cape has reignited speculation about a push to remove President Cyril Ramaphosa. The contents of the letter, reportedly calling for the disbanding of the current ANC National Executive Committee and the installation of a national task team under the leadership of former President Thabo Mbeki, have stirred considerable unease among party loyalists and observers alike.
The Sunday World first brought the letter to public attention, highlighting what appears to be a campaign mounted discreetly by certain factions within the ANC to reconfigure the party’s top leadership. However, the ANC Veterans League, a body of seasoned party members that traditionally plays a stabilising role within the movement, has rejected the plan outright. Its president, Snuki Zikalala, denounced the initiative as divisive and covert, describing it as a threat to internal unity and constitutional governance.
Zikalala affirmed the League’s support for President Ramaphosa, maintaining that he must be allowed to complete his second term as mandated by parliament. He cautioned against any attempts to subvert due process and emphasised the importance of maintaining democratic continuity in a politically charged period.
In recent weeks, rumours have swirled suggesting that President Ramaphosa might be preparing to step down following the conclusion of South Africa’s G20 presidency in December, when the chairmanship passes to the United States. These claims have been firmly dismissed by Ramaphosa’s advisor and special envoy, Bejani Chauke, who described the speculation as unfounded and potentially disruptive to South Africa’s leadership role on the global stage.
Chauke noted that the G20 Summit, which for the first time in history is being held on African soil, represents a milestone achievement in South Africa’s diplomatic history and is indicative of the president’s firm international standing. He further stated that the president remains committed to his broader vision of governance reform, combating corruption and rebuilding institutional trust domestically.
Under President Ramaphosa’s leadership, South Africa has seen renewed emphasis on constitutional integrity, including the strengthening of judicial institutions and independent inquiries into state misconduct. According to Chauke, this is consistent with the president’s stated mission to restore faith in public service and entrench the rule of law.
While political speculation is not uncommon in times of economic uncertainty and electoral pressure, respected political analyst and former Institute of Race Relations CEO Dr Frans Cronje has expressed doubt that Ramaphosa will resign prematurely. In his assessment, Ramaphosa is likely to serve until the ANC’s next national elective conference in 2027 or shortly thereafter, barring extraordinary developments.
Dr Cronje observed that although internal contestation within the ANC is ongoing, there is no credible evidence to suggest Ramaphosa has indicated a willingness to resign. He emphasised that the president maintains significant support among the electorate and enjoys robust favourability ratings within his party. According to recent data, approximately 84 percent of ANC voters hold a favourable view of Ramaphosa, a level of support unmatched by any potential successor within the party.
This strong base of support, Cronje argued, makes it strategically unwise for the ANC to seek a leadership change at a time when the party is already navigating shifting political ground ahead of the 2026 municipal elections. Leadership instability, he warned, would likely have detrimental economic consequences and fuel voter uncertainty, possibly weakening the ANC’s electoral position at a crucial moment.
The ongoing debates about the party’s future leadership reflect broader concerns within South Africa about accountability, institutional reform and governance continuity. However, these debates must also be situated within the pan African imperative for grounded democratic processes that respect constitutional frameworks and local legitimacy.
While calls for internal reform remain part of healthy political discourse, any effort to unseat a sitting president outside of mandated electoral mechanisms risks undermining the legitimacy of the very institutions upon which African democracies depend. The conversation around the future of South Africa’s leadership, therefore, must be steered with clarity, caution and an unflinching commitment to the principles of democratic renewal.
In this context, speculation must be distinguished from substantiated fact. As of mid November 2025, there is no official indication from the presidency, parliament or any constitutional authority that President Ramaphosa intends to vacate his office before the end of his elected term. Rather than entertain divisive conjecture, national discourse may benefit more from engaging the critical policy questions that face the country, particularly in the run up to key global and domestic events.
