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Ramaphosa safe… for now: Experts say he’s a skilful politician and contenders want him to stay
Episode 8
Sunday, 14 December, 2025
Cyril Ramaphosa remains one of the most skilful politicians in the ANC, analysts say, despite party turmoil. His ability to manage the Government of National Unity (GNU) and counter critics has kept him firmly in power, at least for now. Leadership decisions are heavily influenced by party power brokers and the intellectual capital that once guided its strategy has largely dissipated. Susan Booysen says: “He survived quite a few assaults and he’s countering the GNU critics quite consistently. Playing the renewal cards very clearly as if the fact that the ANC has dipped below 50% has not happened under his rule — that was one that we’ve totally overlooked — and how he’s really made the coalition and GNU as if this is a great achievement.” Bongani Ngqulunga adds that Ramaphosa has often been underestimated. “He’s a lot more skilful politician than sometimes we give him credit for. It is not in the interest of the contenders — those who want to succeed him — to see him leave right now. I don’t think we have someone powerful enough in the ANC to cobble together a coalition that could make that person [president].” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
