South Africa's ANC at its 'weakest', says Ramaphosa

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa said that his ruling African National Congress party was at its "weakest", after a historic loss in municipal polls last year.

The party leader spoke as the continent's most advanced economy faces a raft of socio-economic crises.

Critics charge that the government lacks a national plan to tackle poverty, inequality and 34.5-percent unemployment worsened by the coronavirus pandemic, or even provide basic services such as electricity and water.

Support for the ANC dipped below 50 percent for the first time in local polls last November.

"The ANC today is at its weakest and most vulnerable since the advent of democracy," Ramaphosa told delegates at talks to map out the party's new direction in Johannesburg.

The weaknesses, Ramaphosa said, "are evident in the distrust, the disillusionment, the frustration that is expressed by many people towards our movement and our government".

He said the party of late anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela was now a "divided movement", with rifts "driven by competition for positions and access to public resources, and patronage as well".

The cracks were resulting in "weakened governance", he said, urging delegates to come up with "clear policies", "coherent ideas" and "practical solutions".

Ramaphosa is expected to seek a second five-year term, but could face a challenge from a faction of the party that is loyal to former president Jacob Zuma, who has been accused of corruption.