ANC in KwaZulu-Natal Vows Renewal After Election Setbacks

The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal has pledged to review its performance in the 2026 Local Government Elections, where the party faced significant setbacks. ANC provincial spokesperson Sifiso Sonjica stated that the party had identified areas of poor performance and would assess what went wrong, particularly in municipalities affected by internal divisions and service delivery challenges. This review aims to rebuild public confidence in the party.

According to Sonjica, while the ANC lost support in some areas, it also recorded improvements compared to the 2024 elections. The voting margins between parties remained relatively close in certain areas, indicating a competitive election. Sonjica emphasized that the party respects voters' decisions to support alternative political parties if they believe the ANC is not delivering. He noted that the ANC's policies are not necessarily the problem, but the party has sometimes deployed people who lack the necessary capabilities to serve communities effectively.

Internal conflicts within the ANC have affected service delivery in some municipalities, leading to community frustration. Sonjica cited the Mpandle municipality as an example, where internal divisions among ANC members deployed in municipalities have had severe consequences. In Mpandle, workers went without pay for multiple months from 2025 to 2026, leading to financial hardship, repossessed vehicles, lost homes, and public protests. The party's renewal programme will focus on deploying capable and committed individuals to positions of responsibility.

The ANC's renewal programme aims to address the issues that led to poor performance in the elections. Sonjica stated that part of the renewal process involves deploying people who are committed to working for communities, rather than pursuing personal interests. The party will also investigate its performance in municipalities where it expected better results. Sonjica emphasized that it is too early to draw conclusions before studying the election outcome.

The ANC plans to engage communities and explain its policies while addressing concerns raised by residents. Sonjica acknowledged that communities have raised legitimate concerns about infrastructure and water provision. He argued that some of these challenges require both capable leadership and a review of how municipalities are funded. The party needs to understand why many eligible voters chose not to participate in the elections.

Sonjica expressed concern about the number of eligible voters who did not participate in the elections. He emphasized that the party needs to understand why many people chose not to vote. The ANC will focus on addressing the concerns of communities and improving its performance in municipalities. Sonjica maintained that the party's policies are sound, but its implementation has been flawed.

The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal is committed to rebuilding public confidence and improving its performance in municipalities. The party's renewal programme will focus on deploying capable leaders, addressing internal conflicts, and improving service delivery. Sonjica emphasized that the party respects voters' decisions and is committed to serving communities effectively.

Key points

• ANC in KwaZulu-Natal to review election setbacks and municipal infighting
• Party to deploy capable leaders and improve service delivery
• ANC to engage communities and explain its policies