ANC must strike urgent deal with US to survive, says Dr Frans Cronjé

The ANC, led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, is at a critical juncture, with its political survival hinging on securing a strategic deal with the Trump administration this year, according to Dr Frans Cronje, Chairman of the Social Research Foundation.

Dr Cronje’s warning follow a poll by the Institute of Race Relations (IRR) which indicates that, for the first time since coming to power in three decades, the ANC may be lagging the Democratic Alliance (DA), the main opposition party in South Africa and a member of the Government of National Unity (GNU) led by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

In an interview with National Security News, Dr Cronje highlighted the vast opportunities the current US administration presents for South Africa. He stressed the urgency of aligning South Africa’s policies to attract US trade and investment, arguing that addressing key American concerns could transform the country’s economic fortunes and reverse the ANC’s declining trajectory.

Dr Cronje also commented on the appointment of Mcebisi Jonas—a prominent businessman and whistleblower during Jacob Zuma’s presidency—as a special representative to the US. He noted that Jonas’ link to the MTN Group, which operates in Iran, “could be problematic” and may raise concerns in Washington.