Thami Magubane|Published48 minutes agoANC launches KwaZulu-Natal campaign ahead of local government elections

TheANC in KwaZulu-Natalhas kicked off its campaigning for the local government elections, however experts have expressed doubt about the party’s ability to regain lost ground in key municipalities. Analysts have indicated that the party is facing a threat from the MK Party. This past weekend, the party unveiled its campaign machinery for the 2026 local government elections as it battles to regain voters.

The ANC is facing a serious challenge based on the results from the last two election cycles. In the 2021 local government election, the party lost majority control of key municipalities such as eThekwini and Msunduzi, which it now governs in coalition with other parties. In the 2024 national government elections, its support in the province collapsed to around 17%, resulting in the loss of control of the provincial government.

The ANC is part of a provincial coalition government with other parties. The party stated that it is working to engage with community members directly through door-to-door campaigns. The ANC has vowed that it wants to govern without the support of other parties and aims to secure about a million votes.

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During the party’s mobilisation in eThekwini, a motorcade of campaign vehicles, motorcycles, and volunteers was seen across the city. In a statement, the party said, “The high-impact mobilisation activity was underscored by the ANC’s Big Reveal, where the Provincial Task Team officially handed over campaign resources, including a fleet of election vehicles that will criss-cross every region, ward, and community in KwaZulu-Natal. These resources will drive an intensive grassroots campaign aimed at taking the ANC directly to the people.” The ANC said it has now substantially concluded its candidate selection process and is entering the next decisive phase of the campaign—returning to communities to seek a renewed mandate to accelerate service delivery, create jobs, grow local economies, and build capable, developmental municipalities.

“The movement believes elections are won through direct engagement with communities. Volunteers will therefore embark on an extensive door-to-door campaign, listening to the concerns of residents, accounting for the work of the ANC, and presenting a clear programme for responsive governance and improved service delivery,” said the statement. “With its structures activated and volunteers deployed across the province, the ANC is confident that it will earn the trust of the people of KwaZulu-Natal and secure a renewed mandate to continue transforming their lives,” concluded the statement.

However, experts are sceptical about the party’s chances to convince voters. Political analyst Musa Xulu stated: “In KZN, the biggest electoral challenge for the ANC remains the MKP. From a purely analytical point of view, eThekwini Metro, Msunduzi, Mnambithi, Newcastle, and possibly Mhlathuze are going to be an uphill battle for the ANC due to the concentration of the working class in these towns and cities.

While it is highly recognisable that the ANC is currently renewing itself, it remains doubtful if they are in sync with the voters who are not card-carrying members of the ANC.” He added that on the issue of gaining trust from the voters, it is tricky because voters tend to judge incumbents based on past and current experience and expectations. “The key question is always: Has the political party delivered on its past promises?” When it comes to eThekwini Metro and Msunduzi, where the ANC leads, there have been huge challenges around the delivery of basic services in recent times. Local government electioneering cannot be addressed through large rallies.

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