ANC under pressure to reverse South Africa decline

South Africans are heading to the polls in local elections that could see a decline in support for the African National Congress (ANC), their former ruling party. This year's voting season has been marked by intense campaigns, featuring politicians doing all sorts of activities to attract attention. The ANC will be campaigning to lead South Africa's nearly 300 municipalities, responsible for providing basic services such as water, electricity, and refuse collection.

The party had a disastrous performance in the last national election, when it lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since 1994, when apartheid ended. Support for the ANC has been dropping significantly over the years due to anger over high levels of corruption, unemployment, and crime.

At its peak in 2004, the ANC received 70% of the vote in the general election, but this share has dropped to 40% in recent years. Polls and pundits predict a further loss in the upcoming local elections, but President Cyril Ramaphosa remains confident, stating that the ANC will continue to rise and show "those naysayers" on November 4th.

In townships like Alexandra, north-east of Johannesburg, the ANC has traditionally had a strong support base, but poor governance and voter apathy are eroding this support. A BBC visit to the sprawling township revealed that residents are frustrated with the poor delivery of basic services and the deterioration of their living conditions.

Sanele Ntombela, an 18-year-old first-time voter, expressed hope that voting would lead to change, while Zandile Mncube, a 33-year-old woman, said she would not vote, citing poor service delivery and local leader performance.

Alexandra stands in stark contrast to the affluent Sandton, where skyscrapers, designer shops, and well-maintained roads are prevalent. The disparities between these two areas highlight the stark differences in service delivery and quality of life between different parts of South Africa. The issues plaguing Alexandra are not unique, as similar patterns of neglect and disrepair are evident throughout Gauteng province.

South Africa's auditor-general has highlighted the dire state of most of the country's 257 municipalities, with only 39 receiving clean audits between 2024 and 2025. Johannesburg, in particular, has been labeled "effectively bankrupt" due to its deteriorating financial health and poor service delivery. The upcoming local elections are seen as a crucial test for the ANC and a verdict on their continued ability to govern effectively.