Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa has reportedly told the ANC’s national executive committee (NEC) that he is willing to resign — but only if the committee gives him a specific date on which he should step down.
According to SABC News, Ramaphosa challenged his critics to stop plotting his exit “in dark corners like cowards”, amid growing speculation that he plans to quit after the G20 summit.
African National Congress (ANC) President Cyril Ramaphosa has dared his political detractors in the National Executive Committee (NEC) to give him a date by which he should resign. In a heated direct political overview report, Ramaphosa dared his political detractors to stop… pic.twitter.com/pct7ynjAZa
— SABC News (@SABCNews) November 16, 2025
The ANC has dismissed the rumours, with spokesperson Nonceba Mhlauli insisting there is no “departure lounge” for Ramaphosa and that the NEC elected in 2022 will serve its full term until 2027 under his leadership.
“I’m not sure what departure lounge that is, but as far as we are concerned, there is no departure lounge in the national executive committee,” said Mhlauli.
“This national executive committee, with its president, was elected in December 2022. Our term ends in December 2027, and our term will end with President Cyril Ramaphosa as the president of the ANC, where he will then be handing over if he doesn’t, of course, decide to stand for a third term.
WATCH | ANC’s Nonceba Mhlauli says there is no “departure lounge” in the NEC, emphasising that the current committee, elected in December 2022, will serve its full term until December 2027 under President Cyril Ramaphosa. pic.twitter.com/TC81jxkPt4
— SABC News (@SABCNews) November 16, 2025
“That was in jest, that was a joke, but to answer your question, there is no departure lounge. President Ramaphosa is the president of the ANC, and his term ends in 2027. Whatever other rumours that are there, we cannot speak to or verify them for any other reason.”
Earlier, Ramaphosa’s envoy Bejani Chauke also rejected claims the president would step down after the G20 summit, calling the rumours “irresponsible.”
RUMOUR OF PRESIDENT EXIT
There is a disturbing and unfounded rumour that President Ramaphosa will be stepping down as RSA President shortly after the G20 Heads of State Summit in Johannesburg. This rumour is devoid of truth and aims to cast aspersions on the successful build-up… pic.twitter.com/AJg5rvX8YO
— Dr Bejani Chauke (@bejani7) November 5, 2025
He said Ramaphosa remains focused on strengthening the coalition government, guiding Cabinet renewal efforts, and preparing to host G20 leaders in Johannesburg.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
