ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula has announced that the party is intensifying its local government elections campaign through a comprehensive strategy aimed at strengthening its position across South African municipal councils.
Mbalula was speaking during his closing address at the 5th Amathole Regional Conference, which concluded on Sunday under the theme “United in Building a Capable Local Government to Deliver Services to our Communities”.
Local Government Elections Strategy
The conference saw the re-election of the region’s top five leaders, following the re-appointment of Sheilla Xego as regional chairperson, Anele Ntsangana as deputy chairperson, Nombuyekezo Ncetezo-Nkwenkwezi as regional secretary, Sanga Maneli as deputy secretary and Onke Mgunculu as regional treasurer.
Mbalula emphasised the importance of local government elections, stating that the party’s selection of its councillor and mayoral candidate will kick off in earnest next month, following a decision by the party’s National General Council (NGC). The South African Government has outlined the key roles and responsibilities of local government, which the ANC aims to fulfill through its election campaign.
Candidate Selection Process
From the 1st of April, the party will start the process of selecting candidates for all the wards, districts, and metros. The NGC of the ANC NEC has made a decision that the Top 7 of the ANC must lead and appoint mayors at the metro level and secondary cities.
The party will then move on to unveiling its local government elections manifesto in June. Mbalula stated that the party is expected to submit its candidates before August and is working on a plan for the elections taking place before the end of the year.
Some of the key challenges the party faces include changing the mood of potential ANC voters in 210 local and metro municipalities. The party’s approach to the 2026 local government elections will be crucial in determining its success.
- Intensifying local government elections campaign
- Strengthening position across South African municipal councils
- Unveiling local government elections manifesto in June
Mbalula urged the new leadership and party delegates to return to their branches and convince communities to rally behind the ANC in its drive to ensure responsive and service delivery-driven local government sphere.
