BOKSBURG, Gauteng — Driven by a pressing need to correct widespread municipal failures and infrastructure decay, the ruling party is finalizing an ANC 2026 local government manifesto designed to fundamentally overhaul how local councils operate. With the November 4 elections less than three months away, the blueprint relies heavily on a forensic policy review of areas under the party’s control, moving beyond standard public consultations to address deep-rooted administrative and systemic breakdowns.
According to party leadership, the upcoming document takes direct stock of severe service delivery challenges, aging infrastructure, and mounting funding pressures. By assessing the inherent political and internal difficulties that have stalled progress, the updated policy framework aims to strip deployed government officials of their standard defenses. Leadership emphasized that once this review is concluded, cadres will no longer be able to blame policy constraints for their inability to deliver essential services to communities. A major pillar of the turnaround strategy includes a comprehensive review of municipal funding models and a strict demand for stronger, capable governance.
To execute this vision, the party has already concluded interviews for its mayoral candidates, with official announcements expected in the week leading up to the manifesto’s release. Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula defended the rigorous vetting process, stressing that local government demands proven competence rather than mere political popularity. Dismissing external predictions and speculation, he reiterated that the selection is strictly criteria-based. “This is an ANC campaign, not a mayor’s campaign,” he noted, insisting that chosen candidates must possess the practical ability to run complex municipalities.
The strategic briefing was also marked by notable internal friction, highlighted by the absence of veteran leader and former cabinet minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. Mbalula took the opportunity to fiercely rebut recent allegations made by Dlamini-Zuma, who claimed he had distributed money to delegates during the Nasrec National Conference. Categorically denying the vote-buying accusations, Mbalula stated he has instructed his legal team to sue if the claims are not backed by concrete evidence. He challenged his critics to take the matter to court, warning that baseless accusations would inevitably invite police dockets and scrutiny from the Hawks, drawing a direct parallel to the investigations surrounding the Phala Phala farm controversy. “I didn’t have money that I distributed to delegates,” he asserted.
Addressing recent rumors that the delay in unveiling the document was tied to internal financial struggles, Mbalula dismissed the speculation entirely. He clarified that the schedule was adjusted to accommodate President Cyril Ramaphosa’s attendance at an upcoming SEC summit and to allow for deeper, more meaningful community engagements. President Ramaphosa is now confirmed to officially launch the finalized manifesto on August 23, after which the party will take its promises directly to the grassroots level ahead of the crucial November polls.
