{
  "id": 1340732,
  "title": "ANC says service delivery has improved since 2021 local elections",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/anc-says-service-delivery-has-improved-since-2021-local-elections",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-16T19:53:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/1152752-2/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The African National Congress (ANC) has highlighted improvements in service delivery since the 2021 local government elections, according to its review of the manifesto. During a media briefing at Luthuli House, ANC national executive committee members discussed advancements in housing, water, and energy services over the past five years. While acknowledging positive developments, the ANC stated that more work needs to be done to employ more skilled professionals and to prioritize reliability, particularly in water delivery.\n\nANC NEC member Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, who is also the minister of electricity, reported that load shedding has been eliminated, but stressed that load reduction remains an issue in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. He acknowledged that electricity supply is now in surplus, but noted that it has become increasingly unaffordable, especially for poorer households. The ANC is developing policies to address this affordability issue. Union representatives have expressed concerns about the proposed establishment of a transmission systems operator, equating it to privatization of the electricity sector. However, Ramokgopa clarified that transmission will not be privatized, as it is a naturally occurring monopoly, and the president has made that clear. The focus is on moving assets from the Eskom group to the Transmission System Operator (TSO), which will be wholly-owned, and compensating Eskom for the fiscal exposure.\n\nOn the positive gains of the Energy Action Plan and the commitment to resolve load reduction, ANC NEC member Thembi Simelane, who is also the minister of human settlements, addressed concerns about informal settlements. She reported that the percentage of informal settlements has decreased from 16.2% to 8.1%. Simelane emphasized the investment in mixed development projects for citizens and addressing spatial injustice. The portfolio includes 1,887 selected projects across nine provinces with a recorded investment value of over 160 billion rand, benefiting approximately 385,000 households.\n\nMeanwhile, Deputy Minister for Water and Sanitation David Mahlobo reported significant spending on developing water resources, including infrastructure fixes, with R156 billion available through grants and subsidies over the last five years. He emphasized that skilled professionals are crucial to ensure taps release water and that the national government will intervene if municipalities fail to deliver services. Mahlobo stated that the ANC is prepared to launch its 2026 Local Government Elections Manifesto next Sunday, 23rd August.",
  "summary": "The ANC is set to launch its 2026 Local Government Elections Manifesto next Sunday, 23rd August.",
  "key_points": [
    "ANC highlights service delivery improvements since 2021 local elections",
    "Load shedding eliminated, but load reduction persists in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal",
    "Informal settlements decreased from 16.2% to 8.1%"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}