ZUMA ANC VS RAMAPHOSA RENEWAL

Sources| Despite Jacob Zuma’s controversial leadership and numerous scandals, the ANC managed to maintain a significant majority during his presidency. In contrast, under Cyril Ramaphosa’s leadership, the ANC’s popularity has declined, with the party losing 17 percentage points in the election.

This could be attributed to various factors, including:

1. Zuma’s ability to maintain a strong grip on the party’s structures and loyalists.
2. Ramaphosa’s efforts to reform the party and address corruption, which may have alienated some ANC loyalists and voters who benefited from the previous regime.
3. The perception that Ramaphosa’s leadership is more distant and less connected to the grassroots, compared to Zuma’s more populist approach.
4. The impact of state capture and corruption under Zuma’s leadership, which may have finally caught up with the party under Ramaphosa.

It’s important to note, however, that Ramaphosa’s leadership has also been credited with stabilizing the economy, improving governance, and restoring international relations, among other achievements. The ANC’s decline in popularity may also be a reflection of broader demographic and political shifts in South Africa.