Writing for the ANC on its website, party Secretary General and presidential hopeful Fikile Mbalula says his party is set to “redefine the ANC agenda for service delivery, sharpen our interventions, and accelerate the pace of development in line with our renewal mandate”.

Mr Mbalula was writing with reference to a special executive committee meeting convened by his party this weekend.

According to Mr Mbalula, “The people of South Africa have made their choice crystal clear that they place their faith and trust in the ANC. These results starkly contradict the narratives of decline pushed by naysayers and hostile forces, including their opinion polls.”

While a cross-section of analysts and senior ANC officials hold the view that the ANC is deeply divided and failing to drive effective policy reform, Mr Mbalula dismissed these concerns, saying it was “indisputable” that the “ANC stands stable, united, and effective in delivering results” and that its “renewal project is succeeding.”