ANC's Bid to Sway Sceptical Electorate a Tall Order

Prof. Bheki Mngomezulu

The Independent Electoral Commission has recently announced its readiness to host the 2026 Local Government Election (LGE) at any time from November 2026. With over 500 registered political parties, the stage is set for a very tough contest. Old political parties are still licking their wounds following the 2024 general election. The new ones are upbeat and look forward to the upcoming election.

While all political parties cannot be accorded the same status, given their history, support base, and current position. Therefore, the focus of this article is on the ANC, which was in power for six administrations until it relinquished it in 2024 after declining in each election.

Key questions arise in assessing the ANC’s fortunes (or lack thereof). Among them are the following: Did the ANC learn anything from its dismal performance in the 2024 general election? If so, has it done enough to regroup in time before the 2026 LGE? If not, has it conceded that it is headed for the opposition benches? How realistic is the party’s renewal project? Is the ANC sincere about pushing the renewal agenda, or does that wish remain a far-fetched dream that has not been translated into reality?

In other words, what are the prospects of the ANC’s resurgence? If that were to happen, is it possible under the current leadership, or does the ANC need a new crop of leadership to try and reposition itself? Given the number of political parties in the country, is the ANC ready and capable of facing the anticipated toughest contest? Will the party put its leaders before the people of this country? Will it be able to endear itself to the electorate, or will it be the victim of its previous mistakes? What can we glean from the recently concluded National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, and what can we anticipate from the upcoming National General Council (NGC)?

These are some of the critical questions that, if answered correctly, would give us a better sense of the ANC’s prospects of recovery or resurgence. Failure to address these and other questions would result in the further decline of this once mighty organisation that has been reduced to leading a multiparty coalition against its will. A cogent analysis of at least a few developments will assist in this regard.

Firstly, the extent to which the ANC learnt from its mistakes, which resulted in the party’s dismal performance in 2024, will determine its election prospects in 2026. If it has not addressed factionalism, political arrogance, covering up corrupt activities, and distancing itself from the masses, history will repeat itself.

Secondly, the ANC must do self-introspection on how it has dealt with coalition politics. Has the party and its leader demonstrated political maturity in leading the multiparty coalition? To address this question, the ANC must reflect on the January 8 Statement and how it boasted that although it leads a coalition government, it remains in charge by virtue of having the president, deputy president, and most of the ministers and deputy ministers coming from the ANC. This is not how coalition governments are led. They can draw lessons from Australia, India, Germany, the Netherlands, and other countries.

Thirdly, when it comes to international relations and foreign policy orientation, has the ANC handled these matters properly? In addressing this question, the ANC must reflect on how it handled its evident differences with the DA. Also, it must reflect on how it handled the embarrassing visit to the Oval Office in the USA by members of the coalition government and other guests. Was the country properly represented in that meeting? Did the team respond to Trump’s chess game in a patriotic manner, or did it play to the gallery?

Fourthly, to what extent has the ANC’s recently concluded NEC meeting instilled confidence in the membership and the electorate? This question can be addressed through an analysis of public statements that surfaced following this meeting. One of them was the view that the NEC was divided on whether President Ramaphosa should remain in office or resign as president of the country, as it happened with former President Thabo Mbeki and former President Jacob Zuma.

Fifthly, given the number of municipalities that the ANC lost in the 2021 LGE, what has the party done to redeem its political fortunes? This question could be addressed by listing tangible steps that the party has taken since then.

It is commendable that the ANC’s official media statement dated November 17, 2025, regarding its preparedness for the 2026 LGE gives the impression that the ANC has applied its mind assiduously. But here too, there are evident concerns. 

Item 2.1 of the statement states that “The minimum requirement to qualify is that candidates must possess a matric qualification and/or have the capacity, experience, education, or expertise that will enable them to make a constructive contribution within the municipal council. The requirement for a matric qualification may be waived by the Electoral Committee under exceptional circumstances.”

This leads to the conclusion that capacity, experience, or expertise can replace a matric certificate. What does that say about many councillors who can hardly read documents, according to various reports?

Item 2.2 is clear that candidates must have completed all four modules offered by the OR Tambo Leadership School. There is no ambiguity there. 

Item 2.3 states that “All candidates must be ANC members in good standing at the time of nomination to the IEC.” This is also commendable. However, will the ANC apply this section uniformly, or will factionalism creep in? The same question applies to item 2.4, which says that “candidates must possess a proven track record of commitment to and involvement in the democratic movement and/or government.”

Item 2.10 on vetting is critical, especially since bogus qualifications have become a common occurrence. Also, item 2.11’s insistence on lifestyle audit is equally important.

What the ANC says and what it does should be in sync if it wants to resurrect itself.

* Prof. Bheki Mngomezulu is Director of the Centre for the Advancement of Non-Racialism and Democracy at Nelson Mandela University.

** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL, Independent Media or The African.