ANC sinks to new depths
Unless the Electoral Court comes to its rescue, the ANC will simply disappear from the ballot in at least two municipalities.
The African National Congress (ANC) has seen a decline in recent years, struggling to retain its dominant position in South African politics. Traditionally, the ANC has entered elections with confidence, backed by the support of their fervent supporters in stadiums. However, this once-stellar performance has faltered, as evidenced by a series of recent setbacks.
One of the most glaring issues is the late submission of candidate lists for councillors and metro mayors, with the Election Commission of South Africa (IEC) closing nominations on 28 August. This missed deadline could result in the ANC's disappearance from the ballot in at least two municipalities they traditionally dominate. The IEC's excuse of a "technical glitch" is dismissed as a typical schoolchild's explanation, with the real issue being rampant factionalism and intense competition for nominations within the ANC.
The selection process for councillor positions, which should have begun as early as February 2026, was delayed due to factional disputes and the perceived benefits of municipal office. Moreover, the process for selecting metro mayors deteriorated into a farce, with over 5,000 applications and a shortlist of 150 candidates that was postponed multiple times before ultimately being expanded to 42 possibilities at the last minute.
The delay was attributed to the ANC leadership's fear that disappointed candidates might cause trouble.
Another significant figure is Rev Frank Chikane, who was initially considered a strong candidate for the leadership position compared to Helen Zille. However, his name was not on the Johannesburg PR list when the ANC submitted its council lists. This discrepancy was initially dismissed as a clerical error by ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula.
At the heart of this disarray is Mbalula, who has responded defensively to criticism, claiming he is "the boss of the ANC" and "unbendable steel". President Cyril Ramaphosa, who was elected on a promise of transparency and accountability, is now grappling with the administrative challenge of keeping the controversial figure Phala Phala buried, as a substantive review of his legacy is currently underway.
The ANC's current state is a testament to the chaos and factionalism that has taken hold within its ranks, posing a significant challenge to the party's future in South African politics.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
