GAUTENG — African National Congress (ANC) Gauteng provincial convener Panyaza Lesufi has firmly defended the party’s service delivery record, asserting that no one can accuse the ANC-led government of failing to build new schools, roads, clinics, or hospitals. Speaking ahead of the party’s manifesto launch in Gauteng, Lesufi addressed mounting voter concerns, the complexities of coalition governance, and the profound impact of unmanaged migration on local infrastructure.
Lesufi acknowledged that the provincial government underestimated the massive demand for public services. He attributed this strain to extensive migration from other South African provinces and the broader African continent, admitting that past budgeting and planning cycles failed to properly manage this population growth. He emphasized that the newly unveiled manifesto aims to arrest this situation by establishing clear metrics, bottom-line expectations, and strict monitoring responsibilities for each municipality and ward councilor.
Addressing the intricacies of coalition politics, Lesufi highlighted the ANC’s strategic ability to regain influence in municipalities it had previously lost. He noted that through coalition management, the ANC now directly or indirectly controls 10 of the 11 municipalities it lost in past elections. Defending the party’s current leadership in Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, and Tshwane, Lesufi stated that the ANC is actively rectifying crises left by previous administrations. He cited recent interventions, including a R5 billion payment to Eskom and the resolution of adverse financial audit outcomes in Tshwane, as proof of the ANC’s stabilizing influence.
Lesufi also pushed back against criticisms of the ANC’s coalition choices, pointing out that the Democratic Alliance (DA) governed Johannesburg for over eight years, a period he argued plunged the city into its current crisis. He further criticized the DA, alleging a reluctance to service communities and referencing ongoing investigations into sophisticated corruption, asserting that the ANC remains the only party capable of providing a stable, alternative future for the country.
The manifesto launch drew dedicated supporters including one who traveled from Limpopo specifically to hear the ANC president’s address. He expressed continued trust in the party but emphasized the urgent need for tangible solutions regarding youth employment and rural development. He praised local leadership in his area, noting that the young mayor, Miyelani Chauke, has been actively addressing water challenges in Vhembe by expanding access and creating youth employment opportunities.
Despite the ANC’s developmental claims, residents in Riverside voiced mixed reactions to the upcoming elections. Local community members highlighted critical service delivery gaps, including the absence of a local police station, clinic, and school, which forces children to travel long distances for basic education and healthcare. In response to such localized concerns, Lesufi pointed to Riverside as a showcase for a new form of human settlement in South Africa. He argued that integrated spatial planning allows diverse income groups to coexist with access to clean infrastructure, retail stores, and nearby industrial areas.
The event also comes amid broader political debates, with other commentators noting the challenges of incumbent governance and the public’s growing demand for accountability over mere promises.
Concluding his remarks, Lesufi described the ANC as an “unfortunate party” facing a moving target of voter dissatisfaction. He explained that voters often withhold support due to isolated, unmet individual needs—ranging from housing and jobs to NSFAS funding and pothole repairs—despite broader macroeconomic and infrastructural advancements. He urged the electorate to look beyond isolated service delivery complaints and recognize the collective developmental progress driven by the ANC’s stewardship of the national fiscal budget and international relations.
