South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) is boldly tackling concerns about its municipal performance. For example, Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has defended recent remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa and chairperson Gwede Mantashe. Their honest critique, though debated, shows the party’s plan to improve before the 2026 local government elections.
Ramaphosa Urges Better Governance
To start, President Ramaphosa called on ANC members to study top-performing municipalities, often run by the Democratic Alliance (DA).
“What are they doing better than us?” he asked, pointing to Cape Town and Stellenbosch.
Moreover, he stressed hiring skilled leaders to boost local governance, saying, “We have plenty of people who know numbers.”
Mbalula clarified that Ramaphosa’s words were a challenge to improve, not praise for the DA.
“We must face our rivals’ strengths,” he said.
Consequently, he noted that competition drives progress for ANC municipal performance.
Mantashe Admits Capacity Gaps
Similarly, Gwede Mantashe addressed local governance issues during a party event.
“We’re great at singing but weak on capacity,” he said.
As a result, he criticized councillors for poor leadership and pushed for stronger skills to enhance ANC municipal performance.
Mbalula backed Mantashe’s frankness.
“We’re the only party that looks in the mirror,” he said.
In addition, he dismissed claims that such honesty hurts the ANC’s image, arguing it strengthens their focus on better governance.
Ekurhuleni Sets a High Standard
To counter claims of failure, Mbalula highlighted Ekurhuleni as a top example of ANC municipal performance. According to the Auditor-General’s report, this ANC-run municipality leads with clean audits and strong service delivery.
“Ekurhuleni proves we can excel,” Mbalula said.
Therefore, he urged other ANC areas to follow its lead.
Gearing Up for 2026 Elections
As the 2026 elections near, Mbalula stressed accountability.
“We’re training councillors and sharpening our manifesto,” he said.
Meanwhile, he brushed off critics who focus on comments rather than real issues. By addressing weaknesses, the ANC aims to boost municipal performance and regain voters’ trust.
In conclusion, the ANC’s bold self-reflection signals a clear plan to deliver better services and strengthen governance for South Africans.
