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Maite Nkoana-Mashabane: ANC at a crossroads

The South African international relations minister talks about corruption allegations and the state of the ANC.

The African National Congress (ANC) has been the dominant party in South Africa since the end of apartheid.

It took power in 1994 with Nelson Mandela as president of what became known as “the rainbow nation.”

ANC is not a party of popularity, it is a political movement, the oldest political movement on African soil. It will always be respected and it's always about the people.

by Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, South African international relations minister

But in recent years, the ANC and some of its top leaders have struggled to bring South Africans together.

President Jacob Zuma, who came to power in 2009, is facing hundreds of allegations of corruption. A recent ruling by the country’s highest court said he violated the constitution when he used government money to renovate his private residence.

The ANC has also faced harsh words from the opposition, the Democratic Alliance and from the Economic Freedom Fighters party.

The ANC is now at a crossroads.

Many say the party of liberation hasn’t delivered on its promise to lift millions of South Africans out of poverty. And the continuing allegations of corruption are hurting the country’s once vibrant economy.

So, what does the future hold for the ANC?

A fierce defender of President Zuma and his party, Member of Parliament and Foreign Minister of South Africa, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, talks to Al Jazeera.

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