African National Congress (ANC) veteran and former International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor has delivered a sharp critique of the governing party, warning that it has strayed from its founding mission and no longer serves the people as it once did.
Speaking at the centenary celebration of former ANC Women’s League president Gertrude Shope on Sunday, Pandor said the organisation had lost its glory and was being viewed with growing disdain by the public.
She cautioned that citizens were frustrated by leaders who lacked solutions and relied on others for direction, emphasising that South Africans expected decisive and capable leadership.
Pandor stressed that renewal within the ANC could not remain a theoretical discussion but needed to translate into practical change. She urged members to recommit to the party’s core values and to confront the serious challenges facing the country with selfless leadership.
She argued that ANC branches should play a more active role in communities, saying they must take responsibility for service delivery failures.
According to Pandor, no community should experience problems such as non-functioning clinics, under-resourced schools, or water shortages if there are ANC branches in place.
She added that branches must be democratic, engaged, and inclusive, ensuring that political discussions take place regularly and that members’ voices are respected.
Reflecting on her own experiences in the ANC Women’s League, Pandor also called for greater intergenerational cooperation.
She highlighted the importance of unity between older and younger women in the movement, saying both had much to contribute and could be a powerful force if they worked together.
Her remarks amounted to a candid assessment of the ANC’s current state, with a clear warning that the party must urgently reconnect with its original purpose of serving the people or risk further alienation from the public.
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