Since the dawn of democracy in 1994, South Africa has been a beacon of hope, emerging from the shadows of apartheid under the leadership of the African National Congress (ANC). The party, synonymous with the liberation struggle and Nelson Mandela’s vision of a “Rainbow Nation,” promised a united, non-racial, and prosperous society. However, three decades later, the ANC’s governance has faltered, leaving the country grappling with profound social and political challenges. Rampant corruption, economic stagnation, and persistent inequality have eroded public trust, leading many to declare South Africa a “broken” nation. This article explores the ANC’s failures in addressing social and political issues, drawing on recent developments and public sentiment, while critically examining the systemic issues that have left the country fractured.
The ANC’s Social Failures: A Betrayal of the Poor
The ANC’s social policies were meant to uplift the marginalized, particularly Black South Africans who endured centuries of dispossession. The Freedom Charter, the party’s foundational document, envisioned a society where the wealth of the land would benefit all. Yet, South Africa remains one of the most unequal nations globally, with a Gini coefficient of 0.63 and over 60% of the population living in poverty.
Economic Inequality and Unemployment: The ANC’s Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) programs aimed to redistribute wealth but have largely enriched a small, politically connected elite, often referred to as “tenderpreneurs.” Unemployment stands at 33%, with youth unemployment soaring to 45%, trapping millions in a cycle of poverty. State-owned enterprises like Eskom and Transnet, crippled by mismanagement and corruption, have failed to deliver basic services, exacerbating economic woes. For instance, Eskom’s persistent power outages, declared an “existential threat” by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2023, have crippled businesses and households.
Service Delivery Crisis: The collapse of infrastructure—broken railways, crumbling sewage systems, and chronic water shortages—has left communities underserved. Over a quarter of municipalities are nearly bankrupt, unable to provide clean water, electricity, or sanitation to townships. The 2021 riots, which claimed 212 lives, were a stark manifestation of public frustration over these failures, with looting and violence exposing the ANC’s inability to address basic needs. Posts on X reflect this sentiment, with users decrying the ANC’s “callousness” and “crippled institutions” as evidence of a “rigged game.”
Social Grants and Dependency: The ANC has expanded social grants, with 28 million people—over 40% of the population—relying on them. While these payments provide a lifeline, they have not reduced poverty or fostered economic independence, creating a dependency trap. Critics argue that the ANC’s focus on grants masks its failure to create jobs or address structural inequalities rooted in apartheid’s economic legacy.
Gender-Based Violence and Xenophobia: South Africa faces a severe gender-based violence crisis, with one of the highest rates of rape and femicide globally. The ANC’s progressive constitution, which enshrines gender equality, has not translated into effective action. Similarly, xenophobic violence against African immigrants, as seen in Soweto in 2018, highlights the government’s failure to foster social cohesion or address economic scapegoating. The 2019 National Action Plan to combat xenophobia has been largely ineffective, with little accountability for perpetrators.
Political Failures: Corruption and Eroding Democracy
The ANC’s political dominance, secured through its liberation credentials, has bred complacency and corruption, undermining democratic institutions and public trust. The party’s share of the vote dropped to 40% in the 2024 elections, forcing it into a Government of National Unity (GNU) with the Democratic Alliance (DA) and others—a historic loss of its outright majority. This shift reflects growing disillusionment with the ANC’s governance.
State Capture and Corruption: The Zuma era (2009–2018) epitomized the ANC’s descent into corruption, with “state capture” by politically connected elites looting public resources. Former Treasury official Ismail Momoniat stated that this period reversed the economic gains of the Mandela and Mbeki administrations. Scandals like the misappropriation of COVID-19 relief funds in 2020 further eroded trust, with billions of rands plundered through dubious procurement. The murder of whistleblower Babita Deokoran in 2021 underscored the dangers faced by those exposing corruption, revealing weak protections and inadequate enforcement. X users have labeled the ANC “the worst” of Africa’s failed liberation movements, citing “scandals” and “mismanagement” that have “drained funds and eroded public trust.”
Internal Divisions and Policy Paralysis: The ANC’s broad-church alliance, once a strength, has fractured, leading to policy incoherence. The party is split between Ramaphosa’s reformist faction and Jacob Zuma’s populist wing, which retains influence through patronage networks. This division has stalled reforms, as seen in the ongoing energy crisis and delays in forming provincial governments, such as in Gauteng, due to disputes with GNU partners. The ANC’s reluctance to confront corrupt leaders has fueled perceptions of impunity, with X posts accusing the party of “zero consequences” for cronyism.
Eroding Democratic Trust: South Africa’s democracy, once a global model, is losing legitimacy. The 2019 elections saw the lowest voter turnout since 1994, with only 16 million of 40 million eligible voters participating in 2024. A 2021 Edelman Trust Barometer survey found that South Africans trust businesses more than the ANC government, a damning indictment of its governance. The rise of populist parties like the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), led by Zuma, reflects public frustration with the ANC’s failure to deliver on its promises.
A Country Broken: The Consequences of ANC Misrule
The ANC’s failures have left South Africa in a precarious state, with social and political fractures threatening stability. The country’s infrastructure is crumbling, with rail, ports, and power systems in disarray. The JSE and rand are under pressure, and trade relations have soured, notably with the U.S. imposing 30% tariffs on South African imports in 2025, citing governance issues. Business closures and job losses are mounting, with X users warning of a “jobs bloodbath” and a “deeply concerning” trajectory.
Socially, the ANC’s inability to dismantle apartheid’s economic structures has perpetuated racial and class divides. While millions of Black South Africans were lifted out of poverty in the early post-apartheid years, progress has stalled. The promise of land reform remains unfulfilled, with the 2024 land expropriation act sparking tensions within the GNU. Education and healthcare systems are strained, with special schools for disabled children underfunded, despite UN recommendations.
Politically, the ANC’s dominance has given way to fragmentation, with the GNU’s stability uncertain. Tensions between the ANC and DA, evident in disputes over the 2025 budget’s VAT increase, threaten to unravel the coalition. The DA’s court challenges to ANC policies, including land reform, highlight ideological divides that could destabilize governance. Meanwhile, populist rhetoric from the EFF and MK risks fueling unrest, as seen in Zuma’s 2021 contempt of court saga, which triggered riots.
A Path Forward?
The ANC’s defenders argue that Ramaphosa, in office since 2018, inherited a broken system and needs time to enact reforms. His anti-corruption rhetoric and the GNU’s formation signal a willingness to change. However, critics, including voices on X, argue that Ramaphosa, as Zuma’s deputy for nearly four years, is complicit in the ANC’s failures. The party’s refusal to fully confront its corrupt elements and its reliance on populist policies like VAT hikes suggest a lack of bold vision.
To mend South Africa, the ANC must prioritize accountability, dismantling patronage networks and prosecuting corrupt officials. Economic reforms, including investment in infrastructure and job creation, are critical to reducing inequality and restoring trust. Social programs must shift from dependency to empowerment, addressing education, healthcare, and gender-based violence with urgency. The GNU offers a chance for collaboration, but only if ideological divides are bridged through genuine compromise.
Conclusion: A Nation at a Crossroads
South Africa stands at a crossroads, its democratic promise tarnished by the ANC’s failures. Corruption, mismanagement, and unfulfilled promises have left the country broken, with crumbling infrastructure, soaring inequality, and a disillusioned populace. The 2024 elections and the GNU’s formation mark a turning point, but the path to recovery is fraught. As ANC veteran Derek Hanekom warned, this is a “second chance” the party “dare not fail.” Without bold action, South Africa risks becoming, as one analyst put it, “a sad story” of a struggling nation unable to fulfill its potential. For the millions who believed in the ANC’s vision, the stakes could not be higher.
Sources:
- Edelman Global Advisory, 2024
- GIS Reports, 2023 & 2024
- Freedom House, 2022
- Africa Policy Research Institute, 2024
- The Guardian, 2019
- Wikipedia, Corruption in South Africa
- Vox, 2024
- Al Jazeera, 2021
- BBC, 2024 & 2025
- Pan African Review, 2024
- Human Rights Watch, 2019
- Posts on X
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