Overview
- The 5th National General Council runs December 8–11 at the Birchwood Hotel in Ekurhuleni, with a formal kickoff on Monday.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa cast the gathering as a pivotal review of leadership performance to advance renewal and accelerate rebuilding of the ANC.
- Secretary General Fikile Mbalula announced a readiness briefing to update media on accreditation, logistics and the programme.
- Debates are expected to focus on the Government of National Unity, candidate selection for the 2026 local elections, and the RET-versus-fiscal-discipline divide.
- Analysts anticipate a cautious, compromise declaration rather than dramatic policy shifts or a GNU rupture, with potential signals for the 2027 leadership succession.