The African National Congress (ANC) is set to kick off its 114th anniversary celebrations with the traditional January 8 Statement at Moruleng Stadium in the North West province on January 10, where President Cyril Ramaphosa will outline the party’s priorities for the year ahead, with a sharp focus on reclaiming lost ground in the upcoming 2026 local government elections.
The event, described as the party’s annual “pilgrimage,” comes at a critical juncture following the ANC’s historic setback in the 2024 national and provincial elections, where it secured only 40% of the vote, losing its national majority and control in provinces like Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal – largely attributed to the emergence of the MK Party and widespread voter frustration over economic challenges, unemployment, and service delivery failures.
In his closing remarks at the ANC’s National General Council (NGC) in December 2025, Ramaphosa emphasised the need for the party to field “dedicated, honest, and competent candidates” in the local polls, urging relentless door-to-door campaigning to remind voters why the ANC remains the best option to address the nation’s needs.
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula delivered a candid assessment in his mid-term report to the NGC, acknowledging “denialism” within the party about declining trends signalled in by-elections and research as far back as 2022. He highlighted key lessons from 2024, including over four million ANC supporters staying home and organisational weaknesses that hampered the campaign.
To prepare for the 2026 municipal elections – expected between late 2026 and early 2027 – the ANC has rolled out an ambitious four-phase strategy: laying foundations (largely completed through provincial and regional workshops), followed by the intensive Mayihlome phase launching in January 2026, then Siyanqoba, and finally Call to Vote.
Progress includes completed workshops in eight provinces (with North West fully finishing regional sessions), established election structures in most areas, and plans to appoint thousands of full-time coordinators while training at least 200,000 volunteers by the end of January. A dedicated fundraising team is securing resources for research, media, and voter mobilisation.
Party spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu, in the ANC’s end-of-year message, stressed that local government remains a vital arena for service delivery, pointing to improved by-election performances in 2025 as evidence of lingering public trust. She added that voters have sent a clear message: the ANC must govern better, prioritise people, ensure accountability, and make delivery outweigh promises.
As the Mayihlome phase approaches, the ANC is banking on visible improvements from the Government of National Unity to shift public sentiment, underscoring that the road to recovery lies in tangible action and renewed organisational vigour.