RIVERSIDE, GAUTENG — The ANC 2026 Local Government Elections manifesto is facing intense scrutiny over its practical implementation and commitment to service delivery ahead of the November polls. Launched in Riverside, near Diepsloot, the event was strategically designed to showcase measurable progress, but political analyst Professor Bheki Mngomezulu warns that internal disunity and a history of unfulfilled promises threaten the party’s credibility with voters.
The ANC leadership deliberately selected the Riverside venue to highlight areas where there is a “semblance of hope” regarding housing and infrastructure delivery, intentionally avoiding municipalities with well-documented service failures. During the launch, the President delivered an opening statement acknowledging that while the party has recorded successes, it remains “acutely aware that there are areas where we failed.” Professor Mngomezulu, affiliated with Nelson Mandela University, noted this as a rare moment of honesty from the party leadership, though he questioned whether this acknowledgment would translate into actionable change.
This curated optimism contrasts sharply with sentiments on the ground. Elderly residents, historically the ANC’s most loyal demographic, have expressed a profound loss of faith in the party’s direction. Professor Mngomezulu highlighted stark local realities to illustrate this disconnect, pointing to communities that lack running water while nearby infrastructure diverts water resources elsewhere. This directly contradicts recent political claims of universal water provision in the area.
Furthermore, the analyst emphasized that younger voters are increasingly disconnected from the party’s liberation history. Instead, the youth are focused on the day-to-day reality of a 0.9% increase in the unemployment rate. Frustration is mounting among qualified graduates who struggle to find work, while observing that well-connected individuals are disproportionately appointed to positions.
Addressing the manifesto’s central theme of “a better life for all,” Professor Mngomezulu drew a parallel to George Orwell’s Animal Farm, suggesting the current reality feels more like “a better life for some.” He argued that political maneuvering, such as reducing a 10-point plan to six points, is largely irrelevant to voters who prioritize tangible, on-the-ground outcomes over polished political documents. He stressed that promises to appoint qualified individuals to public positions are not new and have historically lacked implementation.
A significant point of contention surrounding the election preparations is the ANC’s last-minute reversal on announcing its mayoral candidates for major metropolitan areas. Originally scheduled to be revealed alongside the manifesto, the announcement was abruptly postponed. Professor Mngomezulu attributed this delay not to rigorous due diligence, but to deep-seated factional fighting and disunity within the party regarding who should lead.
He further noted that discussions around placating unsuccessful candidates by placing them in provincial or national legislatures raise serious governance concerns. This strategy, aimed at maintaining party unity, prompts critical questions about whether future appointments will be based on political peacekeeping rather than the requisite skills and knowledge needed to represent communities effectively.
As the November elections approach, the ANC faces the dual challenge of bridging the gap between its manifesto promises and the lived realities of voters who are increasingly demanding accountability over historical loyalty.
