Former South African President Thabo Mbeki has shared his views on circulating rumours that President Cyril Ramaphosa may resign after the devastating ANC results of the recent elections.
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Thabo Mbeki comments on Cyril Ramaphosa resignation rumours
South Africa’s second democratic president participated in a political discussion on the African Renaissance podcast with Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi. Lungelo KM, host of the Engineer Your Life podcast, posed an interesting question to the politician about whether the country’s top seven political parties can deliver on the service delivery promises they make.
Mbeki then redirected the question, saying the top seven political parties themselves can answer it. However, he went on a tangent, touching on claims reported by the Sunday Times that Ramaphosa suggested his own resignation.
“When I saw that, I said he is taking a correct position,” he said, further referencing the normal procedures in other democratic countries.
“Because, normally, in all these other democratic countries where you have a major disaster like this, the leaders resign. They take responsibility.”
Former President Mbeki says that if the rumours are true that President Ramaphosa wants to resign, then that would be a correct decision to take as there’s nothing positive that happened during his presidential term. 👀 (🎥: @AfriRenPodcast) https://t.co/tpdwsEh1Sj
— Andile Human (@AndileHuman) November 9, 2026
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“Nothing positive happens”
Mbeki then took the opportunity to reflect on and question the two terms Ramaphosa has served as president.
“President Ramaphosa was elected president of the ANC in 2017 and president of the Republic in 2018. We are now in 2026. What has happened between 2018 and 2026 of a positive nature that you can point to?” Mbeki asked.
“Nothing. There’s a lot of negativity. The economy goes down, levels of unemployment increase, levels of poverty increase, and levels of violence and crime in society increase. The ANC loses massive support in terms of people. Nothing positive happens,” he continued, listing all that he believes has occurred under Ramaphosa’s presidency.
He argued that, if the president had made a genuine proposal, it would have been the right one.
Featured image: Picture: X/@MadiBoity
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