‘Mountain out of a molehill’: Steven Friedman (political analyst) downplays ANC fallout over DA Comments

CapeTalk's John Maytham chats to political analyst and author, Steven Friedman.

Listen to their conversation in the audio clip below:

President Cyril Ramaphosa caused political waves after openly acknowledging the superior audit performance of DA-led municipalities during an ANC councillors' gathering recently.

ALSO READ: 'Ramaphosa's comments about DA-run municipalities not the full picture' - former ANC WC spokesperson 

Urging the party not to fear learning from opposition-run metros, Ramaphosa’s off-script comments were seen by some commentators as a risky move that could further isolate him within the ANC’s divided ranks.

ALSO READ: ‘It's a way of saying ANC has failed’ - Professor Dirk Kotze, political analyst (on Ramaphosa admitting DA governs well) 

However, Friedman downplays the backlash.

"It is a mountain out of a molehill."

-  Steven Friedman, political analyst and author

He says ANC rules make it virtually impossible to remove a sitting president without a formal disciplinary process, and that Ramaphosa’s comments are unlikely to trigger one. 

"I really think that people who continually tell us that the ANC is going to get rid of Ramaphosa, I really wish they would read the ANC Constitution, which they don't ever seem to do. The ANC Constitution tells you that you can only remove an ANC president if they are found guilty of an offence by a disciplinary committee, which doesn't seem likely in this case."

-  Steven Friedman, political analyst and author

ALSO READ: ANC members bristle after Ramaphosa admits South Africa's best-run municipalities governed by DA 

While some within the party may have been annoyed, Friedman says the president’s remarks won't shift the balance of power significantly ahead of the ANC’s next leadership battle.

Friedman also questions whether Ramaphosa’s comments would drive real reform in struggling ANC-run municipalities, arguing that entrenched loyalties and political emotions are unlikely to change.

Instead, he sees the remarks as a “shock tactic” by a president aware of the ANC’s slipping support, especially as opposition parties prepare to contest local government elections.

"The bigger picture issue is why did he say it in the first place. He said it because every bit of available evidence we have suggests that the ANC is battling...the ANC is really not doing well in by-elections at all. He used the shock tactic to try and turn things around, but I am a bit sceptical because he has got 15 months or so before the next local government elections. Clearly, a lot of people have lost trust in the ANC, and it's going to be very difficult for them, even if he does shock some people into changing their minds, to convince people to restore that trust and actually vote for the ANC. He has got an uphill battle as it is, and I think that's probably why he used this particular shock tactic, but I am sceptical that he is going to make a positive difference because of it."

- Steven Friedman, political analyst and author

ALSO READ: What could the ANC learn from DA-led municipalities? 

Scroll up to listen to the full conversation.