Failure to change public sentiment will hurt ANC, warns Mantashe

ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe has identified public sentiment as the biggest challenge confronting his party ahead of next year's local government elections.

The ANC faces an uphill battle to retain and regain key metros in 2026, amid ongoing corruption allegations, governance failures and declining service delivery. The party has yet to announce its mayoral candidates for the metros. It currently enjoys a majority in one (Buffalo City) of the  country’s eight metros. 

Speaking on the sidelines of the NEC meeting on Tuesday, Mantashe said public sentiment - not party planning - was the biggest challenge when asked about  ANC’s strategy ahead of the 2026 local government elections.

“It’s not our plan. It’s the attitude of society towards us. What we should be doing is correcting that attitude,” he said.

“If we are not succeeding, we are not going to see any change in support.”

Compounding the party’s challenges is the prospect that its alliance partner the SACP has announced plans to contest next year’s elections. 

The SACP has criticised the ANC-led government of national unity for including the DA, which it argues does not represent the interests of black people and workers.

In his mid-term report presented on Monday, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said the SACP continued to contest by-elections especially in Limpopo. There was interest to expand this to North West, Mpumalanga, and KZN, he said.

"This is a challenge which need to be addressed by leadership before the local government elections 2026 processes," he said. 

Mantashe also addressed concerns over dual membership between the ANC and  SACP, saying   the ANC has not banned dual membership.

“No, the NEC has not taken that decision. There is dual membership. Every individual will make a decision. It is not the NEC’s decision,” he said.

Holding membership in both organisations himself, Mantashe said each person must decide how to use their membership.

“It is my decision. What do I want to do with my membership? I’m a member of both parties, and I will have to decide which party I campaign for.”

He added that he will vote for the ANC in the upcoming elections, but not the communist party.

Mantashe has also hinted at retiring, saying he would not contest any of the party’s top positions. 

“The time for that will come, and I can tell you, I'm not going to be available. I'm old. I'm more than 70 years old, so I'm retiring.”

Cape Times