In the Mirror of Chief Albert Luthuli: A Reflection on the Leadership of the African National Congress in the Post-Apartheid Era

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Since the arrival of Dutch settlers in the 1600s and British colonists in the 1700s and 1800s, South Africa had been a project that systematically subjected Black people to segregationist laws and practices. After 1994, the African National Congress (ANC) committed to effectively dealing with the country’s challenges in post-apartheid South Africa. However, recent developments in the political landscape show that the people of South Africa have started to lose trust in the leadership of the ANC. This implies that the well-being and productivity of the organisation in attending to public affairs are negatively affected. To examine the leadership of the ANC in the post-apartheid era, the concept of “ethical leadership” was employed. The findings show that some of the unethical conduct found within the ANC leadership demoralises and puts into question the integrity and ethics of those in power. Moreover, South Africa is struggling with corruption, poor governance, and mismanagement. The ANC, the ruling party since 1994, has been in a deep crisis. In the 2021 local government elections, support for the ANC fell below 50 per cent for the first time, and prospects for Africa’s oldest liberation party are dim. Hence, this article demands a commitment from the leadership of the ANC to revisit the values displayed by Chief Albert Luthuli and use them to renew and revive the ANC and its leadership.