Fikile Mbalula, Secretary-General of the African National Congress (ANC), has reaffirmed the party’s commitment to rebuilding trust with communities as it prepares for the upcoming 2026 local government elections. Speaking at a key ANC event at Turffontein Racecourse in Johannesburg on Sunday, Mbalula laid out a renewed political strategy focused on reconnecting with grassroots communities and restoring the ANC’s image in local governance.
The ANC gathered all its public representatives deployed in the local government sector to deliver political guidance and present a comprehensive action plan that will be monitored on a quarterly basis until the election date.
According to Fikile Mbalula, the ANC’s future success at the polls is closely tied to its ability to rebuild a social compact with ordinary South Africans. Rather than targeting opposition parties, the focus is on re-engaging with disillusioned ANC supporters who have withdrawn from the electoral process in recent years.
Fikile Mbalula: Low Voter Turnout, Not Party Switching, Is the Challenge
“The component part of this roll call is about connection with the masses,” said Fikile Mbalula. “Building a social compact with the people, not what others are doing. If we do well—if we live up to the expectation of connecting with the communities and our masses—the people will honour and respect the ANC that they love.”
Mbalula emphasized that the party’s decline in electoral performance was not due to a mass defection to rival parties, but rather a result of traditional ANC voters staying away from the polls in protest or disillusionment.
As part of its new approach, the ANC will implement a three-month performance review system for all its local government representatives. The objective is to track how effectively the new action plan is being rolled out on the ground and whether it is achieving the goal of reconnecting with communities.
Mbalula confirmed that public representatives would be held accountable for delivering services and upholding the ANC’s renewed values of transparency, service delivery, and community involvement.
“We’re not waiting until the elections to act. We are putting in place a quarterly monitoring system to check progress, identify shortcomings, and make real-time adjustments. This is about action, not just promises,” said Fikile Mbalula.
Mbalula’s comments reflect the ANC’s internal understanding that voter apathy among its traditional base has been a major factor in recent electoral losses. In the 2021 local government elections, the ANC recorded its worst performance since 1994, failing to secure outright majorities in key municipalities.
However, Fikile Mbalula insists that the solution lies in reinvigorating the party’s relationship with its core supporters, not in attacking opposition parties or launching populist campaigns.
“As you would have seen in all the elections, they [voters] did not cross over to other parties; they just stayed away from voting for the ANC,” he said.
The party believes that with the right leadership, accountability mechanisms, and consistent grassroots engagement, many of these disengaged voters can be won back.
The gathering at Turffontein Racecourse was more than a symbolic event—it marked a strategic pivot for the ANC. Rather than relying on its liberation legacy or political branding alone, the party is now embracing a results-driven approach to local governance.
The event brought together mayors, councillors, and regional leaders from across the country, all of whom received detailed briefings on how to align their local mandates with the ANC’s broader strategy to win back trust.
Mbalula noted that the party is fully aware of the deep frustration among communities regarding poor service delivery, corruption, and lack of responsiveness at the local level. He stressed that addressing these issues head-on would be central to the party’s recovery.
Since taking on the role of Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula has made it clear that he intends to be a hands-on leader, actively involved in operational oversight and political messaging. He has traveled extensively across provinces, meeting with branches, addressing internal discontent, and rebuilding party discipline.
Mbalula has also become a vocal advocate for institutional reform within the ANC, pushing for more rigorous performance standards and political education for all public representatives. His goal, he says, is to ensure that the ANC remains relevant, responsive, and respected in the eyes of the South African people.
With the 2026 local government elections looming, Fikile Mbalula is positioning the ANC for a political comeback grounded in grassroots activism, transparency, and accountability. By focusing on its core constituencies and implementing a structured, results-based strategy, the ANC hopes to reclaim the trust of South Africans who have grown disillusioned with the political status quo.
Whether the party’s new plan will resonate with voters remains to be seen—but under Mbalula’s stewardship, the ANC is clearly taking a more serious and strategic approach to governance and electoral preparation.
Source- EWN
