“He Took The ANC From 61% To 31%”: Ramaphosa Called A Living Legend In Political Dig

President Cyril Ramaphosa has become the subject of sharp political commentary following claims that his leadership has overseen a significant decline in the African National Congress’s electoral support, with the party’s performance falling from approximately 61% to 31%.

The remark describing Ramaphosa as a “living legend” appears to be a sarcastic assessment of the president’s political leadership, particularly in light of the ANC’s declining electoral fortunes.

The ANC, which dominated South African politics for three decades following the country’s first democratic elections in 1994, has faced mounting challenges in recent years as voters increasingly question its ability to address unemployment, corruption, crime and deteriorating public services.

Under Ramaphosa’s presidency, the governing party experienced one of its most significant electoral setbacks in the 2024 national and provincial elections, when it secured approximately 40.18% of the national vote, losing its parliamentary majority for the first time since the end of apartheid.

The outcome forced the ANC to enter into a Government of National Unity (GNU), bringing together several political parties to form a national administration.

The latest criticism comes amid another important electoral contest, with the 2026 local government elections providing a fresh indication of the ANC’s standing among South African voters.

The party has been under pressure to rebuild its support, particularly in major metropolitan municipalities where residents have expressed frustration over service delivery failures, water shortages, electricity challenges, infrastructure deterioration and poor municipal management.

For Ramaphosa, the declining electoral support presents a significant political challenge as he attempts to defend his leadership record and maintain the ANC’s relevance in a changing political environment.

His supporters have argued that the president inherited a party weakened by years of corruption, internal divisions and governance failures, making the task of rebuilding public confidence particularly difficult.

However, critics believe that his administration has failed to deliver the political and economic turnaround many South Africans expected when he took over the presidency.

The description of Ramaphosa as a living legend therefore reflects the increasingly polarised debate surrounding his leadership and the ANC’s electoral performance.

While the precise comparison of 61% to 31% requires context, the broader decline in the ANC’s electoral support is undeniable.

As political parties assess the latest election outcomes, questions about the ANC’s future leadership, strategy and ability to regain public confidence are likely to intensify.

Ramaphosa’s political legacy will ultimately be judged not only by the promises made during his presidency but also by the electoral and governance record of the party under his leadership.