ANC must accept it lost the elections and adapt or die, warns Lesufi

JOHANNESBURG - The African National Congress (ANC) must adapt or perish.

This is the stark message from Gauteng provincial chairperson, Panyaza Lesufi, following a dismal showing at the recent polls.

The ANC lost its majority for the first time since the dawn of democracy in the May general elections, getting 40% at national level and only 34% in Gauteng.

Lesufi, speaking at the ANC Gauteng’s provincial executive lekgotla in Boksburg on Sunday, said the party must accept it lost the elections.

Lesufi said that calling the recent election results a strategic retreat or defeat was window-dressing the facts.

He said the party must accept that it lost the elections and had to start the work of rebuilding the organisation.

Lesufi also cautioned against blame-shifting among his comrades, warning that the ANC was a fast-sinking ship.

He said voters had sent a clear message to the party, and it either listened, adapted or dies.

The ANC in Gauteng is set to hold a post-lekgotla media briefing on Monday afternoon.