Dominance and Decline

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This analysis examines the Zuma-led administration's impact on the African National Congress (ANC), highlighting how the party has become increasingly focused on Zuma's leadership. Booysen argues that the defense of Zuma's flawed governance undermines the ANC's ability to effectively govern and secure its future. Building on her previous work, she contends that the state is failing as Zuma's interests take precedence over those of the party and the nation. The ANC has transformed into a factionalized entity, struggling with internal divisions while witnessing the decline of its tripartite alliance and the erosion of its youth, women's, and veterans' leagues. Electorally, the ANC is losing ground to more assertive opposition parties, and its policy initiatives are stagnant, relying on outdated ideas that are poorly implemented. As succession politics emerge with potential replacements for Zuma, the book questions the ANC's capacity to recover from the extensive damage inflicted during his tenure. Ultimately, Booysen posits that while the harm may be irreversible, the electorate might still reward the ANC for moving beyond the Zuma years. This work serves as an essential reference on the modern ANC, offering a rigorous analysis of the tumultuous period under Zuma and providing a coherent framework for future considerations regarding the party's trajectory.