As South Africa hurtles toward yet another election in 2026, the African National Congress (ANC) is gearing up to regale the nation with its favorite fairy tale: “We have a good story to tell.” And what a story it is—a gripping saga of corruption, incompetence, and betrayal, punctuated by the occasional genocide denial and a sprinkle of state capture.
A Legacy of Corruption (But Who’s Counting?)
The ANC’s commitment to looting is nothing short of legendary. In fact, the party was recently voted the 16th most corrupt institution in the world out of 7,000 surveyed. That’s quite an achievement! Most organizations would crumble under such disgrace, but not the ANC—they wear it like a badge of honor. From cadre deployment to Eskom’s collapse, from the Arms Deal to the Guptas, the party has perfected the art of turning public funds into private wealth. And yet, they’ll still stand before voters in 2026 with a straight face and declare: “Look how far we’ve come!”
Gender-Based Violence: The ANC’s Silent Endorsement
While the ANC loves to preach about women’s rights, its actions tell a different story. The recent murders of Jayden-Lee Meek (11) and Likhona Fose (14) are just two horrific examples of South Africa’s GBV crisis—a crisis the ANC has done little to stop. Police stations are understaffed, courts are backlogged, and perpetrators walk free while the ANC’s leaders jet off to international conferences to lecture others about human rights. But don’t worry, comrades, I’m sure the next election manifesto will have another empty promise to “end GBV.”
Farm Murders: The ANC’s Quiet War on Food Security
Every farmer murdered is another blow to South Africa’s food security. But the ANC doesn’t seem too concerned. After all, why protect the people who feed the nation when you can focus on expropriation without compensation and land grabs that collapse agricultural output? The ANC’s response to farm attacks? A mix of denialism and indifference. But hey, at least they’ll tell us in 2026 that “agricultural transformation is on track.”
Conclusion: The ANC’s “Good Story” is a Horror Story
So yes, the ANC does have a story to tell—a story of broken promises, stolen billions, and a nation in decay. But fear not, dear citizens! As 2026 approaches, the ANC will dust off its tired slogans, roll out a fresh batch of lies, and once again insist that “the people shall govern.”
And if you believe that, well… the ANC has a bridge to sell you too.
Opinion piece