DURBAN, KwaZulu-Natal — The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal has officially launched its local government election (LGE) manifesto rally in Durban, outlining a renewed programme to reclaim voter trust and secure an outright majority in the key eThekwini Municipality. As the party navigates the aftermath of losing its majority rule in eThekwini and falling below the 50% threshold nationally, the upcoming local government elections present a critical test of its governing record and service delivery commitments.
Facing a serious challenge from the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), the ANC is confronting lingering service delivery issues that have impacted its historical strongholds. Addressing these concerns, ANC Second Deputy Secretary-General Maropene Ramokgopa emphasized that the party has learned valuable lessons from past setbacks.
“For the past 30 years, it is us as the ANC that have been in government,” Ramokgopa stated. “We obviously inherited a broken system that, in some cases, had no system at all. We had to build the systems that everyone else talks about today.”
While acknowledging historical improvements, Ramokgopa conceded that setbacks occurred but affirmed the party’s clear roadmap for the future. She noted that the ANC knows exactly what needs to be done to ensure local government thrives and services are delivered correctly. Confident in the party’s trajectory, she predicted that the ANC will surprise many at the polls by winning back its majority in the municipality.
“We are not going to be in a coalition,” she asserted, adding that any engagement with other political parties would simply be to maintain good relationships, not out of governing necessity.
However, political analysts suggest that the issue of coalitions will remain a critical factor, particularly concerning the dynamic between the ANC and the MK Party. One analyst noted that while the MK Party is positioned to potentially win an outright majority, the possibility of a coalition cannot be ruled out if no single party secures a majority. The analyst highlighted the recent provincial elections, where no party secured an outright winner, forcing a coalition arrangement. Ironically, the MK Party, which secured 45% of the votes, was left out of the provincial government. This precedent raises the pressing question of whether the ANC is willing to cooperate and work with the MK Party should the need arise.
Amidst the strategic maneuvering and political analysis, grassroots sentiment remains a key barometer for the party’s success. An ANC supporter at the rally expressed cautious optimism, voicing hope that the party will deliver on its promises and effectively govern when it wins back some of its municipalities.
