BOKSBURG — With less than three months remaining until South Africans head to the polls on November 4, the ruling party is finalizing the ANC 2026 local government manifesto to directly address systemic municipal failures, aging infrastructure, and severe service delivery challenges. The upcoming policy document is heavily informed by a rigorous internal review of municipalities currently under the party’s control, alongside extensive consultations with thousands of residents, business owners, community organizations, and professionals.
Emphasizing that the upcoming electoral push is a collective party effort rather than an individual pursuit, leadership has already concluded interviews for mayoral candidates. Announcements regarding the selected candidates are expected within the week leading up to the manifesto’s official unveiling, scheduled to take place before August 23. Defending the selection process, Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula clarified that the party is prioritizing experienced leaders capable of managing complex municipalities over sheer popularity. He dismissed public speculation regarding the candidates, noting that they were vetted strictly on their criteria and competence to effectively run local governments.
The strategic briefing also highlighted notable internal friction, underscored by the absence of former cabinet minister and party veteran Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. Mbalula used the platform to firmly address recent allegations made by Dlamini-Zuma, who claimed that he had paid delegates to secure votes during the party’s 55th National Conference at Nasrec. Rejecting the accusations, Mbalula announced that he has instructed his legal team to pursue defamation charges if the claims are not substantiated. He challenged his accusers to present evidence in court, referencing past political controversies such as the Phala Phala incident and warning that baseless allegations would quickly attract the attention of the Hawks and result in police dockets. He firmly stated that he possesses no records of distributing money to delegates because such events never occurred.
Moving beyond internal politics, the core focus remains on reversing governance failures. The new commitments for the next five-year term are rooted in a comprehensive policy review designed to identify systemic, administrative, and political bottlenecks that have hindered progress. Party leaders stressed that this updated framework will eliminate the common excuses previously cited by deployed government officials regarding policy constraints. Facing ongoing financial strain, unreliable service delivery, and infrastructure backlogs across various regions, the leadership insists that stronger municipal governance, capable leadership, and a complete review of funding models are non-negotiable for improving performance.
Addressing recent speculation that the postponement of the manifesto’s launch was due to internal financial constraints, Mbalula categorically dismissed the rumors. He explained that the schedule adjustment was made primarily to accommodate President Cyril Ramaphosa’s attendance at the SADC summit and to provide the party with adequate time to deeply engage with communities across the country. President Ramaphosa is now slated to officially launch the finalized document on August 23, after which it will be taken directly to the grassroots level ahead of the critical November elections.
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