Ramaphosa’s Service Delivery Action Plan is the ANC’s last chance to win back trust and secure a comeback in the 2026 local elections. Image Credit: SABC News
Service Delivery Action Plan: Powerful Move to Revive ANC’s Lost Glory
(The Post News) – Service Delivery Action Plan is at the heart of ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa’s mission to restore public confidence and transform local governance. Speaking to over 4,500 councillors at the FNB Stadium outside Soweto, Ramaphosa said the party’s future now lies in the hands of its councillors, describing them as the “only hope to return the ANC to its former glory.”
The Service Delivery Action Plan aims to revitalise local government, restore service delivery, and position councillors as catalysts for change in their communities. After the ANC lost its parliamentary majority in 2024 and failed to secure outright control in Gauteng Metros in 2021, this plan could determine whether the party survives or fades further in the 2026 Local Government Elections.
Service Delivery Action Plan – Councillors as Foot Soldiers
Ramaphosa made it clear that councillors are at the coalface of service delivery. “Comrades, without you doing anything, we are dead,” he declared, urging them to take responsibility for transforming their communities. The president warned that unless councillors respond to issues such as water leaks, potholes, sewage spills, and public safety concerns within 48 hours, the party risks losing relevance. “You are the people who have the power to transform our society fundamentally,” Ramaphosa said, adding that the future of local governance is in councillors’ hands.
A Blueprint for Restoring Public Trust
The plan includes six pillars, outlined by ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, which focus on accountability, responsiveness, infrastructure maintenance, and corruption eradication. Ramaphosa emphasized that councillors must be the first on the scene in moments of crisis and should constantly engage with communities to understand their needs.
He praised municipalities like eThekwini, which he said has “turned the corner” thanks to the Presidential eThekwini Working Group intervention, and encouraged other municipalities to learn from their model of collaboration.
Fighting Corruption and Strengthening Governance
A key part of the Service Delivery Action Plan is tackling corruption. Ramaphosa expressed disappointment that the auditor-general reports still find ANC-run municipalities at the center of financial mismanagement. He called for councillors to clean up governance and ensure funds are used to improve lives rather than enrich individuals.
Community Engagement at the Core
Ramaphosa directed councillors to go beyond office work and be visible in their communities. He reminded them that leadership is not just about being present during election season but being the first responders when challenges arise. “Your marching orders today is that when there is a water leak, when there is sewage on the street, you must be the first to know and you must do something about it within 48 hours,” he said.
Preparing for the 2026 Local Government Elections
The Service Delivery Action Plan is more than just an internal strategy — it is a survival mechanism for the ANC. Losing ground in 2024 forced the party into a Government of National Unity (GNU) for the first time since 1994. Ramaphosa admitted that the party’s reputation has been damaged and that councillors must now work twice as hard to regain public confidence before the next elections.
Internal observers believe that if implemented successfully, the plan could be the ANC’s roadmap back to dominance. However, failure to deliver will further erode trust and could open the door for opposition parties to take over key municipalities.
Learning From Success Stories
Ramaphosa urged councillors to share knowledge and best practices, highlighting that local government is full of untapped potential. He encouraged municipalities to replicate successful initiatives rather than reinventing the wheel, emphasizing that peer learning could accelerate development.
A Critical Test for ANC Leadership
The Service Delivery Action Plan is a make-or-break moment for the ANC. With declining voter support and increasing community frustration, Ramaphosa’s call to action was a direct warning: deliver or risk political extinction.
The plan’s focus on accountability, community engagement, anti-corruption measures, and peer learning could reshape local government if executed effectively. However, councillors now carry the responsibility to ensure the plan is not just words on paper but a living strategy that delivers tangible results.
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