ANC Chairperson Gwede Mantashe says members have a choice between the party and its ally, the SACP, in next year's local government elections. SABC image
The African National Congress (ANC) has made it clear that its members are free to choose between the party and its ally, the South African Communist Party (SACP), in next year’s local government elections. ANC Chairperson Gwede Mantashe stated that members have a choice, acknowledging the fact that many ANC members hold dual membership.
Speaking on the sidelines of the party’s National General Council (NGC) in Boksburg, Mantashe emphasized that individuals must decide for themselves, saying, “There is dual membership, every individual will take a decision not the ANC NEC, not the NEC, it is my decision what do I want to do with my membership.”
SACP To Contest 2026 Local Government Elections
The SACP has already announced its decision to contest the elections separately from the ANC, and Mantashe’s statement has sparked debate about the implications of this move. Political analyst Sandile Swana believes that the ANC is finally adopting the “correct language” on renewal and accountability, but warns that this alone will not be enough to repair the party’s damaged public image.
Corruption In The ANC A Root Problem
Swana notes that senior party figures, including suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Member of Parliament Malusi Gigaba, have stepped aside amid corruption scandals, which is a step in the right direction. However, he argues that the party must hold members to a higher ethical and moral standard.
“The organisation cannot operate strictly on the basis of court processes,” Swana says. “It must hold members to a higher ethical and moral standard.”
The ANC’s National General Council meeting is underway, and one of the key issues on the agenda is the analysis of the 2024 general election results, which saw the party’s support drop to just over 40%. The party hopes to improve this performance in the 2026 local government polls.
Polokwane Conference A Beginning Of ANC Problems
Swana reflects on the ANC’s early electoral performance, noting that its initial rise to around 70% support was the product of sustained trust-building over time. He argues that the party’s decline can be traced back to the internal conflicts and leadership battles beginning with the 2007 Polokwane conference.
The party’s decline has been steady, with its vote share falling in every election since then. Swana believes that rebuilding public trust will take time and consistent effort. “It will take a long time, through concrete steps that people experience and accept, for the ANC to rebuild confidence,” he says.
The ANC’s image problem is not something that can be fixed overnight, and Swana warns that a single NGC meeting will not reverse years of erosion. He argues that the party must take concrete steps to address corruption and improve governance.
The SACP’s decision to contest the elections separately from the ANC is seen as a blow to the party’s efforts to revitalize its image. However, Mantashe’s statement suggests that the ANC is prepared to move forward, even if it means losing some of its members.
The ANC’s future is uncertain, and the party’s leaders must navigate the challenges ahead with caution. The upcoming local government elections will be a crucial test of the party’s strength and its ability to bounce back from its current difficulties.
As Swana notes, “It will not be speeches, press conferences or documents. It will take consistent, credible action over many years for the ANC to regain the trust it has lost over the past 16 years or so.”
The ANC’s journey to redemption will be long and arduous, but it is not impossible. With the right approach and a commitment to change, the party can rebuild its image and regain the trust of the South African people.
The road ahead is fraught with challenges, but the ANC has the opportunity to reinvent itself and emerge stronger than ever.
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