The African National Congress (ANC) in the Western Cape has signaled its intention to make significant political moves in municipalities across the province in the coming months. This follows the return of former Democratic Alliance (DA) councilor Christo Boks to the ANC, marking a potential shift in local governance dynamics.
Boks, a former mayoral committee member in the Matzikama Local Municipality—which includes towns such as Vanrhynsdorp and Vredendal—was officially welcomed back into the ANC at a Cape Town event. The party framed his return as part of its broader “renewal project,” aimed at regaining lost ground in the province.
ANC Aims to Revive Fortunes After Electoral Decline
Once the dominant force in the Western Cape, the ANC has seen its influence wane, losing control of the provincial government and most municipalities to the DA. The party’s leadership acknowledged the challenges but expressed determination to rebuild.
“The people of the Western Cape gave us a mandate to be an opposition last year—they did not elect us to govern. But our role as an effective opposition will contribute to holding the government accountable,” an ANC representative stated.
Key issues such as slow housing delivery and local government failures are expected to dominate the ANC’s upcoming strategic planning sessions. The meetings will involve national, provincial, and regional leaders, including former Western Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool, who also served as South Africa’s ambassador to the United States.
Rasool Criticizes U.S. Hostility, Defends SA’s Foreign Policy
Rasool, who was declared persona non grata by the Trump administration, addressed the gathering, criticizing U.S. hostility toward South Africa, particularly over its stance on international issues.
“South Africa is the only embassy in the U.S. with deep-rooted constituencies, thanks to the anti-apartheid movement. We speak with moral authority,” Rasool said. He also dismissed claims of “white genocide” in South Africa, arguing that more people die violently in Cape Flats townships than in farm attacks.
His comments come after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent visit to the U.S., where he faced criticism from American officials over South Africa’s accusations of Israeli genocide at the International Court of Justice.
Political Shifts Ahead?
With Boks’ defection and renewed strategic planning, the ANC appears poised to challenge the DA’s dominance in Western Cape municipalities. Observers suggest that further defections and aggressive campaigning could reshape the political landscape ahead of the next elections.
For now, the ANC remains in opposition but is gearing up for what it calls a “fightback” to reclaim its former strongholds.