ALBERTON, GAUTENG — The ANC 2026 Local Government Elections campaign is intensifying across key battlegrounds, with party president and spokesperson Cyril Ramaphosa leading a robust push in Gauteng. Visiting Alberton and Soweto, Ramaphosa focused heavily on eradicating gender-based violence and highlighting the ruling party’s grassroots momentum as the electoral period heats up.
Johannesburg has emerged as a fierce battleground for the upcoming polls, prompting the party to leave nothing to chance. Ramaphosa returned to the city to campaign in Alberton for the third time in less than a month, using the platform to deliver a profound address on the national crisis of gender-based violence and femicide.
Speaking directly to the community, the spokesperson emphasized that the fight against abuse must begin at home. He urged fathers to recognize that their sons are constantly watching how men treat women and resolve conflicts. “A boy learns about manhood from the men around him,” Ramaphosa stated, challenging men to raise a new generation of boys who understand that “there is strength in gentleness, that there is courage in kindness, that there is honor in self-control, that there is dignity also in service.”
He stressed that respecting women is not a favor, but a recognition of their equal humanity before God. Furthermore, he called on citizens to refuse to laugh at degrading jokes and to stop protecting perpetrators of abuse simply because they are friends.
Ramaphosa also issued a strong call to action for the church, urging religious institutions to serve as places of refuge where women and children feel safe. He demanded that abuse be confronted and never concealed within religious circles, insisting that pulpits must clearly proclaim that violence against women and children is contrary to the gospel. “There must never be a contradiction between what we preach on Sunday and how we behave from Monday to Saturday,” he noted.
His remarks come at a critical time, as police continue to investigate a series of tragic incidents involving the bodies of women found in various parts of the country. Ramaphosa urged the public to be active participants in creating safe environments, emphasizing a strict “if you see something, report it” approach to the relevant authorities.
Campaign Gains Momentum in Soweto and KwaZulu-Natal
Following the Alberton address, the ANC took its election campaign to different parts of Soweto. This Gauteng leg followed closely on the heels of recent campaign stops in the hotly contested municipalities of KwaZulu-Natal, including Durban.
Addressing stakeholders in Soweto, Ramaphosa highlighted the positive feedback received from residents. He noted that community members were expressing gratitude for the progress seen in their areas and were actively engaging on local service delivery issues, such as requests to upgrade neighborhood parks with play equipment for children.
Reflecting on the broader electoral strategy, the spokesperson confirmed that the party’s campaign is in “full drive” and is about to go into “overdrive.” He shared that his recent visits to KwaZulu-Natal gave him a strong sense that the party’s campaign is highly visible and gathering momentum.
“We are present. We’re doing door-to-door. We’re meeting our people and are also addressing the challenges that our people are facing,” Ramaphosa explained. He also shared a telling anecdote about the campaign’s high visibility, noting that rival parties have voiced complaints that the ANC is “doing too much,” which he interpreted as a sign that their efforts are going “a few decibels up.”
Concluding his weekend engagements, Ramaphosa expressed his satisfaction with the party’s electoral readiness, stating that he is a “happy president” as the campaign continues to gather vital momentum ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.
