Ramaphosa Pledges Urgent Reform for South Africa’s Failing Municipalities in 2026

Key Takeaways

• The African National Congress (ANC) is focusing on local government as a key part of its political strategy ahead of the upcoming local government elections in 2026-2027.
• The party is seeking to address the daily struggles faced by residents in municipalities, including issues with water, electricity, and unemployment.
• The ANC’s January 8 Statement emphasized the need for "decisive action" to fix local government and rebuild public trust.
• The party has acknowledged its past failures in local government and is seeking to implement solutions and hold its members accountable.
• The ANC is emphasizing the importance of local government in economic development and job creation.

Introduction to the ANC’s Local Government Strategy
The African National Congress (ANC) has placed municipalities at the center of its political strategy as the country prepares for local government elections between November 2026 and January 2027. The party’s leaders, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, have been criss-crossing the country to see firsthand the daily struggles faced by residents in municipalities. These struggles include issues with water, electricity, and unemployment, as well as a general feeling of insecurity among communities. The ANC’s January 8 Statement, delivered by Ramaphosa, emphasized the need for "decisive action" to fix local government and rebuild public trust.

The State of Local Government in South Africa
The state of local government in South Africa is a major concern for the ANC. According to the Auditor General’s 2023/24 report, only 41 out of 257 municipalities achieved a clean audit, which is about 16% of all municipalities. The party’s voter support has also been declining, with a 17 percentage point drop nationally between 2019 and 2024. This decline has led to the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU), which includes the Democratic Alliance, Inkatha Freedom Party, and the Patriotic Alliance. The ANC has also failed to garner majorities in provinces such as KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, and Gauteng.

The ANC’s Analysis of Its Decline
The ANC’s secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, has analyzed the party’s decline and identified the 2016 local elections as a turning point. The party’s losses in major metros, such as Johannesburg and Tshwane, have been significant, and the emergence of over 80 hung councils after the 2021 local elections has further weakened the party’s position. Mbalula’s report highlights the need for the ANC to reconnect with its voters and to address the issues that have led to its decline.

Ramaphosa’s Warning to Councillors
President Ramaphosa has warned councillors that they need to reconnect with their wards and rebuild public trust. He has also emphasized the need for accountability and has warned that those who fail in their duties or engage in corruption will be removed from office. Ramaphosa has said that local government is the sphere closest to citizens’ daily lives, and it is where the party’s commitment to the Freedom Charter must be expressed. He has also emphasized the importance of local government in economic development and job creation.

The ANC’s Plan to Fix Local Government
The ANC has developed a 10-point plan to fix local government, which includes holding councillors accountable, evaluating the work of municipalities, and building partnerships with the private sector. The party is also seeking to address the issues that have led to its decline, including corruption and poor service delivery. Senior NEC member Pammy Majodina has said that the decision to focus on local government has little to do with the upcoming elections, but rather is a commitment to fix the problems that have been identified.

Conclusion
The ANC’s focus on local government is a key part of its political strategy ahead of the upcoming local government elections. The party is seeking to address the daily struggles faced by residents in municipalities and to rebuild public trust. The ANC’s January 8 Statement emphasized the need for "decisive action" to fix local government, and the party is seeking to implement solutions and hold its members accountable. The success of the ANC’s strategy will depend on its ability to deliver on its promises and to address the issues that have led to its decline.