South African president defends 30 years of ANC rule in speech to Parliament ahead of elections

By GERALD IMRAY
Associated Press

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa confronted some of his country’s deep problems in his annual State of the Nation speech in Parliament on Thursday. But he claimed ahead of elections later this year that his ruling African National Congress party was making progress in the face of record unemployment, an electricity crisis and ongoing allegations of corruption. Ramaphosa’s nearly two-hour-long speech to lawmakers was largely a defense of his first term in office and the ANC’s 30 years in government. It came as several polls suggest the party once led by Nelson Mandela could lose its majority this year in what would be a landmark moment for South Africa.