Ramaphosa's secret retreat: Urgent call for unity in struggling municipalities
Cyril Ramaphosa was in a secret meeting with GNU leaders over the weekend, where he urged them to tighten-up their service delivery act and solidify their allegiance, at a time when his own leadership of the nation is under massive scrutiny
Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
During a hush-hush meeting held over the weekend, president Cyril Ramaphosa appealed to Government of National Unity (GNU) leaders to rally together to improve the lot of the country's municipalities and solidify their coalition.
The meeting, which was staged at a retreat in the Cradle of Humankind, near Johannesburg, also brought to the fore Ramaphosa's own leadership challenges and the growing number dissenting voices, especially from the ANC, who are questioning his ability to lead the country.
There was even conjecture that Ramaphosa was considering stepping down as president.
Sources close to the discussions from within government, the ANC and opposition parties, revealed that a significant portion of the closed-door discussions revolved around the critical state of local governance and next year's elections.
While no official agenda was shared, and leaders were ordered to maintain secrecy, the urgency of municipal collapse appears to have dominated much of the conversation.
"The President was very clear," one ANC source said.
"He essentially begged the GNU partners to set aside their differences and focus on the ground-level issues. He said, 'Our people are suffering because municipalities are failing. We must make them work, and we must do it together'."
This sentiment was echoed by a leader from another GNU party, who confirmed: "The emphasis on local government was undeniable. It felt like a desperate call for collective action."
However, this plea for unity comes at a time when Ramaphosa's position within his own party is reportedly under threat.
According to media reports, several ANC leaders indicated a growing sentiment that Ramaphosa was considering stepping down before the end of his five-year term in 2029.
They said many in the ANC no longer have the same confidence in his ability to lead and the idea of him exiting early next year was not just speculation but was being discussed.
These sources believed that Ramaphosa was unhappy with his relationship with DA leader John Steenhuisen and his party's frequent challenges to key legislation, as well as being "second-guessed by ANC stalwarts" like former President Thabo Mbeki.
The retreat, which was only confirmed by Ramaphosa's spokesperson Vincent Magwenya as "long overdue" and designed to allow leaders to speak "freely and openly" without media scrutiny, was intended to thrash out "all matters relevant to the GNU."
However, the lack of a clear agenda and the secretive nature of the gathering have raised eyebrows.
Political analyst, Dr John Molepo said the clandestine nature of the GNU retreat, coupled with the reported internal ANC dissent regarding Ramaphosa's leadership, paints a picture of a government in flux.
Ramaphosa's apparent "begging" for cooperation on municipal issues underscores the profound challenges facing the GNU and by extension, the country.
“It suggests a recognition that the current top-down approach is insufficient and that buy-in from all partners is crucial for effective governance at the local level.
“However, the reported lack of confidence from within his own party significantly weakens Ramaphosa's hand. If key ANC figures are actively discussing his early departure, it creates an unstable environment where his authority to lead the GNU is inevitably compromised."
Molepo said the GNU's success hinges on a strong, unified leadership, and if the very foundation of that leadership was being questioned, its ability to tackle critical issues like municipal dysfunction will be severely hampered.
"The fact that the GNU's own clearing house mechanism is only a recommending body and refers unresolved issues to a broader forum, further dilutes presidential power.
“This political maneuvering and internal strife risk overshadows the urgent need for tangible solutions, leaving citizens to bear the brunt of dysfunctional local governments. The coming months will be critical in determining whether Ramaphosa can regain the trust of his party and effectively leverage the GNU to address the nation's pressing challenges,” he said.