The African National Congress (ANC) has declared 2026 as the year of decisive action to fix local government and transform the economy, as the party prepares for upcoming local government elections.
ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa made the announcement while delivering the party’s January 8 Statement during the ANC’s 114th anniversary celebrations at Moruleng Stadium outside Rustenburg on Saturday.
Warm reception
Thousands of ANC supporters attended the event, alongside leaders from alliance partners and representatives of fraternal liberation movements, including ZANU-PF of Zimbabwe, FRELIMO of Mozambique, MPLA of Angola and SWAPO of Namibia.
Diplomats from countries such as Cuba, Venezuela and Palestine were also present.
Despite a warm reception, Ramaphosa acknowledged the serious political challenges facing the ANC following its loss of an outright majority in the 2024 national elections and its current position in a Government of National Unity (GNU) with nine other parties.
Amid growing speculation that the party’s support could further decline, Ramaphosa dismissed claims that the ANC is facing extinction.
“Many have not wished us well. They have continued to say the ANC is going to die. They have continued to say we are now facing the last years of existence of the ANC. They have said this in the entire 114 years, and we are still around. We are going to be around for the next 114 years as the ANC – whether they like it or not, the ANC is here to stay,” he said.
Back to Basics at Branch Level
Ramaphosa stressed that words alone would not be enough to revive the party, urging ANC branches to reconnect with communities and return to grassroots activism.
“ANC branches must reconnect with communities. Some of them are not calling meetings. From now, if they don’t do what we expect them to do, we will remove them,” he warned.
He announced a nationwide campaign to rebuild ANC structures at local level.
“In 2026, we will undertake a nationwide campaign to rebuild every branch of the ANC into an activist branch. We call on all ANC members to be involved in grassroots campaigns to solve community problems and promote community development and safety,” Ramaphosa said.
Focus on Local Government and the Economy
With local elections approaching, Ramaphosa said communities could no longer tolerate poor governance and failing municipalities.
“We cannot accept dysfunctional, apathetic, uncaring local government. We cannot accept an economy that only works for the few. We cannot bow our heads and accept defeat,” he said.
“Our forebears demonstrated bravery 114 years ago. We therefore declare 2026 as the year of decisive action to fix local government and transform the economy.”
Tripartite Alliance Under Strain
Addressing tensions within the tripartite alliance, particularly with the South African Communist Party (SACP), Ramaphosa said the ANC would work to preserve unity despite recent disagreements.
“The ANC will not abandon its responsibility to unite the Alliance and develop a common approach to the renewal and reconfiguration programme,” he said.
He added that the ANC’s National Executive Committee would convene a series of alliance meetings and emphasised that all ANC members would be required to campaign for an ANC victory in the forthcoming local government elections.
“There must be no confusion,” he said.
The ANC also confirmed that its 115th January 8 celebrations will be held in the Northern Cape next year.
