RIVERSIDE, Johannesburg — As the African National Congress prepares to officially unveil its ANC 2026 local government elections manifesto, national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu has outlined a comprehensive vision centered on municipal reform, rigorous candidate vetting, and the nationwide expansion of integrated housing models. The policy rollout, shaped by extensive community consultations, aims to directly address historical service delivery gaps while replicating successful urban development strategies across South Africa.
During a pre-launch briefing, Bhengu pointed to Riverside and Diepsloot as current “pockets of excellence” in human settlements. These areas showcase well-maintained, mixed-use developments that successfully integrate bonded and RDP housing. The ANC’s strategic goal is to replicate this integrated model—where residents can live, learn, play, travel, and access retail locally—in other key regions, including Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, Newcastle, and Richards Bay. Richards Bay, in particular, is envisioned as a secondary city hub designed to economically support surrounding rural communities. The Riverside site itself is slated for further integrated development, with plans for a new school and a temporary clinic structure already in place.
The manifesto’s development was informed by a rigorous internal review of the party’s 2021 electoral promises. Bhengu candidly acknowledged that this assessment revealed glaring weaknesses in the institutional architecture of local government, specifically citing instances of incompetence, ineptness, and the underpreparedness of certain public representatives. To counter this, the ANC has overhauled its candidate selection guidelines. The new framework raises the qualification threshold for mayors, proportional representation (PR) candidates, and ward councilors. Crucially, the performance records of incumbents will now be strictly evaluated to determine their suitability for returning to office, balancing the need for fresh accountability with the value of the party’s deep governance experience.
Financial sustainability is another cornerstone of the upcoming document. Recognizing severe resourcing challenges and varying levels of financial management capability at the municipal level, the manifesto will advocate for the implementation of a new, more equitable funding model for local government.
Bhengu also addressed the party’s historical shortfall in communicating its achievements. While maintaining a humble approach to service delivery, the ANC plans to systematically highlight milestones such as the millions of South Africans who have gained access to clean water since 1994, the ongoing rollout of mega human settlements, and the successful conversion of former mining towns like Carletonville into decent residential facilities. Furthermore, Bhengu emphasized that South Africa remains unique in its ability to provide free housing and healthcare on such a massive scale, even within highly populous provinces facing significant in-migration pressures.
On the critical front of accountability, the spokesperson reaffirmed a zero-tolerance stance on corruption. Bhengu cited the establishment of the Madlanga Commission—which possesses transcending powers beyond previous inquiries—and historic Special Investigating Unit (SIU) proclamations as concrete proof of the government’s commitment to recovering funds diverted to wrong hands. He stressed that this model of live self-correction applies universally, ensuring that no cent is wasted, even when investigations implicate members within the ANC itself.
Through this manifesto, the ANC aims to present a balanced narrative: affirming past successes, correcting institutional weaknesses, and delivering a clear, actionable roadmap for the future of South African municipalities.
