Speaking at the party's provincial 8 January ceremony in Rustenburg, North West, on Saturday, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula delivered a stinging rebuke, declaring that South Africa would not be bullied by the US.
Mbalula minced no words, stating: "America must not come into the affairs of a sovereign country like South Africa. We must fight and defend our country against the madness of Donald Trump."
He rallied the nation to stand firm, emphasising South Africa's sovereignty and unity. "South Africa is our beginning and end. We are not carrying two passports, but only one, which is South African," he declared.
Mbalula also directed his ire at Afrikaner civic organisation, AfriForum, accusing it of perpetuating these "malicious lies around the world". He stressed the importance of building a strong and united ANC capable of governing independently, without relying on a government of national unity (GNU).
Mbalula admitted that governing in coalition with other political parties had been a "bitter pill to swallow" for the ANC. "If we do not build a strong organisation that will represent our people, this country is going to fall into the hands of the wrong people and sell-outs who have been going around perpetuating lies about the country," he warned.
He specifically lashed out at AfriForum for spreading false claims of "genocide" against white people.
"We are encouraged by the leadership of President Cyril Ramaphosa when he said in Parliament that we will not be bullied," Mbalula stated. "For unity to survive, we must work hard. Discipline is not a favour. Discipline, in its nature, is not punitive; it is corrective," he added.
Mbalula acknowledged the serious challenges facing the North West province, assuring that the party's national executive committee (NEC) was aware of them. "We have challenges, but we have leadership in the province led by Nono Maloyi and his collective. They are leaders of the ANC in the province, and they must lead and maintain discipline," he said.
However, the legitimacy of the provincial leadership is currently being challenged in the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein, with a case scheduled to be heard on 25 February regarding the validity of the conference that elected Maloyi and his executive committee, City Press reported.
Addressing internal party matters, Mbalula discouraged succession debates, deeming them premature. "There have been allegations that I want to be the president. But that succession debate must stop. Let's build the organisation and rebuild the ANC," he urged.
He also cautioned against factional battles within the ANC, warning that such infighting would weaken the party. "By the time we finish that discussion, the ANC will be at 30%, and whoever is going to be the president will be the president of a political party that got fewer members. We must work hard to bring the ANC back to power," he said.
Mbalula emphasised that the ANC would not tolerate criminal behaviour, stating that members should not support or encourage criminals in the name of the party. "If we find you wearing the ANC T-shirt and supporting criminals in court, we will institute disciplinary measures against you," he warned.
