"While we respect Manuel’s right to freedom of speech, we believe that there is absolutely no basis to portray a doom-laden picture of the country to the media and to the outside world," the ruling party said in a statement. 

"We are painfully aware of an ongoing onslaught against our movement being desperately choreographed on various social media platforms and urge Manuel not to fall into this trap."

Manuel last week at a webinar reportedly described the ANC's record in government as "almost 30 wasted years".

The criticism struck a nerve with a ruling party that is scrambling to be seen to address corruption within ranks, the task being made more urgent by senior officials in recent months having become embroiled in suspect tenders linked to the Covid-19 crisis.

At the weekend, President Cyril Ramaphosa in an extraordinary letter to his party described it as being "in the dock" as the first accused in a corruption scandal engulfing the country. He urged party members to resist the urge to enrich themselves in a corrupt manner or to resign.

On Monday, in the statement, the ANC stressed that it has always sought to govern responsibly. 

"At all times we are guided by the need to demonstrate responsible stewardship over the country’s resources through growth, clean governance, innovation, and empowerment."

The party said while the country undeniably still faced challenges, these in the main had their roots in the apartheid era. Manuel's words did not reflect the historical reality, it added.

"Taken at face value Manuel’s utterances could loosely imply that the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment, and inequality started in 1994. 

"Attributing economic challenges and social illness that confront South Africa today to the post-1994 government alone is a betrayal of reality."

It stressed that since the country's first democratic elections, "the quality of life of South Africans has shown tremendous improvement", as millions more gained access to health care, education, and basic services.

"In 1994, 26 years ago, the ANC inherited a country where the majority of South Africans were excluded from participation in the mainstream economy. We took it upon ourselves to formulate and implement many policies to transform the economy in order to benefit the majority," it said.

"We acknowledge that many economic problems continue to be based on the structures of inequality and underdevelopment inherited from South Africa’s colonial and apartheid past. The intensification of our interventions on the economy forms an integral part of our pro-poor path, uniting all South Africans to promote growth and development."

It added a call to Manuel and other critics to contribute ideas to turn around the economy, which has been driven deeper into recession by the health crisis.

"We urge all peace-loving South Africans, including Manuel, to use appropriate platforms including their expertise and experience gained over a period of time to bring about ideas that will help shape our economy for the better. Forging a new social compact requires that we all work together united in our diversity."

African News Agency