DIEPKLOOF, SOWETO — As the ANC campaign 2026 intensifies ahead of the November 4 local government elections, party President Cyril Ramaphosa has taken his message directly to the streets of Diepkloof and Orlando in Soweto. Focusing on service delivery, a newly established National Water Crisis Committee, and the urgent need for an outright municipal majority, Ramaphosa is working to reclaim the party’s traditional strongholds amid growing voter fragmentation.
Walking door-to-door through the historic township, Ramaphosa engaged directly with residents facing a myriad of daily challenges. Constituents raised pressing issues including severe water shortages, crime, illegal dumping, and the high cost of living. Electricity supply was also a major talking point; however, Ramaphosa clarified that the area is currently experiencing “load reduction” rather than national load shedding, attributing the localized power stress to the rapid proliferation of backyard dwellings and illegal connections placing immense pressure on the grid.
To combat the widespread water scarcity affecting not only Johannesburg but also other metros and municipalities like Tshwane and eThekwini, Ramaphosa announced the establishment of a National Water Crisis Committee. Modeled after the national energy crisis committee that successfully mitigated load shedding, this new body will bring national government into direct partnership with metros and provinces. The initiative aims to address bulk water availability, repair aging reticulation infrastructure, and ensure that water revenue is strictly ring-fenced for maintenance and upgrades.
Addressing the media at a doorstep engagement, Ramaphosa also tackled the issue of rapid urban densification. He noted that areas like Orlando have seen their populations surge from 6,800 to 38,000 houses. While acknowledging the strain this places on legacy infrastructure, he framed it as a “problem of development,” highlighting the booming informal real estate and backyard economy.
Pleading for an Outright Majority
ANC Greater Johannesburg spokesperson Mantombi Nkosi emphasized that the party’s door-to-door strategy is central to reshaping the city. Acknowledging that resident concerns regarding service delivery are valid, Nkosi outlined the ANC’s manifesto priorities: ensuring a safe Johannesburg, improving basic services, and restoring proper municipal finances.
When pressed on how the ANC plans to ensure resident safety—especially given reports that the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) has struggled with fuel shortages for their vehicles—Nkosi reaffirmed that resolving municipal finances and prioritizing crime prevention are at the top of the party’s agenda. She passionately pleaded with residents to grant the ANC an outright majority, arguing that a coalition government would only delay the execution of these critical service delivery projects.
Loyiso Masuku, the ANC’s regional chairperson for Greater Johannesburg, accompanied the President on the walkabout, helping to galvanize community members who gathered in the streets to catch a glimpse of the party leadership.
Engaging the Youth and First-Time Voters
The campaign trail also featured intimate engagements with first-time voters and students. Ramaphosa spoke with a first-year electrical engineering student, who raised concerns about NSFAS funding. Ramaphosa acknowledged the challenge of limited state funds amidst high demand for tertiary education, urging her to complete her studies in a critical skills sector. He also fielded questions from an unemployed youth regarding crime and job creation, and a University of Johannesburg public management student who asked about the future of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE).
Ramaphosa fiercely defended the B-BBEE framework against what he described as misinformation and attacks from those seeking to reverse historical gains. He urged young, conscious citizens to publicize the benefits of transformation and protect these policies at the ballot box.
A Call to the Black Middle Class
Later in the day, Ramaphosa shifted his focus to the Johannesburg City Hall, where he engaged with academics, business professionals, and the black middle class. Drawing on John F. Kennedy’s famous inaugural quote, Ramaphosa challenged the successful black middle class to ask not just what the country can do for them, but what they can do for South Africa.
He urged professionals to use their influence to build a capable, ethical state, calling on them to be the “strongest defenders of ethical leadership” and the “strongest opponents of corruption and incompetence.” Ramaphosa stressed that the black middle class, many of whom are only a generation or two removed from poverty, has a distinct responsibility to mentor emerging entrepreneurs, invest in their home communities, and ensure that their success becomes the foundation for the next generation.
“We should not only complain about the deterioration of our communities. We should organize ourselves to improve them,” Ramaphosa stated, emphasizing that building a prosperous South Africa cannot rest on government alone.
Cleanliness and Condemning Political Violence
Concluding his public addresses, the President issued a strong call for civic pride, urging all South Africans to clean up their cities and reject illegal dumping. “We must be known as people who are educated and clean,” he remarked, emphasizing that order and cleanliness are vital for the nation’s dignity.
Ramaphosa also took time to condemn the political violence that has dogged the election campaign, specifically noting volatile areas like Kathlehong. He called on all political leaders to instruct their supporters to abandon violence as a tool for political ascendancy, urging the police to leave no stone unturned in bringing perpetrators to justice.
Expressing supreme confidence in the party’s electoral prospects, Ramaphosa promised that the ANC would secure an outright majority in the metro, urging all citizens—especially the youth, women, and men—to exercise their democratic right to vote on November 4.
