The former Mining Minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi has openly criticized the African National Congress (ANC), unveiling private text messages exchanged between himself and the late Tito Mboweni. The messages suggest that the former Finance Minister perceived President Cyril Ramaphosa as a figurehead for the Democratic Alliance within the grand coalition government.
Ramatlhodi made these revelations to the Sunday Times earlier this week, highlighting that Mboweni harbored significant discontent regarding the ANC’s current trajectory. During Mboweni’s funeral in October, Ramatlhodi addressed the attendees, noting that the former Reserve Bank governor left the world “an unhappy man.” At that time, he refrained from disclosing the contents of their conversations out of respect.
The disclosed text messages include the following exchange:
“Good morning. I said it on Sunday, I’m saying it again: DA is the ruling party [and] Cupcake is a front. Live with it, ANC members. Ziyakhala kwa mlungu village.”
The term “Cupcake” refers to President Ramaphosa, a nickname he acquired following revelations of an extramarital affair, as reported by the Sunday Independent in 2017.
Ramatlhodi appeared to agree with Mboweni’s sentiments in subsequent messages, stating:
“they planned it long time ago. Checkmate.”
This admission aligns with the perspectives of other ANC leaders who have voiced concerns over the coalition with the Democratic Alliance. Notable figures such as Solly Mapaila from the South African Communist Party (SACP), Panyaza Lesufi, and members of the Gauteng ANC executive have also expressed skepticism about the grand coalition agreement.
Ramatlhodi vehemently criticized the Government of National Unity (GNU), equating it to relinquishing power back to those who historically oppressed black South Africans. He warned that this arrangement would have detrimental effects on the ANC, stating:
“In 1994, we were not handing back power to our former rulers — currently we have done that, and it is going to tear us apart. The ANC in particular is going to suffer big time. I’m not a prophet, but the ANC is going to pay the price.”
Adding to the internal strife, former President Thabo Mbeki, who was similarly excluded from speaking at Mboweni’s funeral, echoed the sentiment that Mboweni was disillusioned with both the ANC and the nation’s state under its leadership.
The ANC is concurrently grappling with increased pressure from external political entities, notably the MK Party, led by former President Jacob Zuma. Zuma’s faction is actively recruiting prominent political figures nationwide, intensifying the challenges faced by the ANC.
Internally, the SACP has also escalated tensions by threatening to contest the upcoming 2026 elections. This threat follows their public denunciation of the ANC’s collaboration with the DA within the GNU. The SACP holds several ministerial and deputy ministerial positions within the Cabinet, placing them in a precarious position should the ANC and SACP fail to reconcile their differences on this matter.
