The African National Congress (ANC) is facing a critical juncture in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, following a dismal electoral performance that saw the ruling party lose its parliamentary majority for the first time in history. As the party grapples with declining support—dropping from 62% nationally to just 17% in KwaZulu-Natal and 38% in Gauteng—the fate of the provincial executive committees hangs in the balance amid ongoing intervention by the party’s leadership.
In a crucial meeting held on Monday in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, the ANC’s National Working Committee (NWC) met with the Provincial Executive Committee of KwaZulu-Natal. A similar session with Gauteng’s provincial leadership was also on the agenda, as the party seeks to gather all necessary facts before decisions are made on the structure and effectiveness of provincial committees.
Despite the urgent need for reform, ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula was quick to clarify that the current meetings are not intended to announce any disbandment but rather to address the pressing issues within the party structures. “This meeting was not called to disband, or announce a decision of intervention; it was called to finalise our work in KZN,” Mbalula stated.
While Mbalula underscored the importance of the NWC in making recommendations for both provinces, it remains the National Executive Committee (NEC) that will hold the final decision-making power over any potential actions. The ANC is keenly aware of the need for a robust strategy ahead of the local government elections in 2026, with Mbalula noting that “some kind of measure was required” to enhance the party’s competitiveness.
In his vivid analogy, Mbalula likened the party’s current circumstances in KwaZulu-Natal to “taking a knife to a gun fight.” He expressed a sense of urgency for the ANC to significantly bolster its campaign tactics to regain lost ground, saying, “We are fighting against a Ferrari in KZN with conquest; we need to get into a fighter jet with speed to overtake the Ferrari.” His remarks follow significant losses in key areas such as eThekwini and Umgungundlovu districts, which have raised alarms about the overall strength of the party in the province.
Mbalula addressed concerns from party members about potential intervention, emphasising that fears of disbandment often stem from personal anxieties over career stability. He reflected on historical precedents of disbandment within the ANC, referencing the losses incurred when new parties emerged, such as the Congress of the People (COPE). “No one can ever say I’m disbanded because I failed or I’m augmented because I was weak,” he asserted.
Furthermore, Mbalula responded to critiques aimed at the NEC, particularly the leadership under President Cyril Ramaphosa, which has been held accountable for the party’s noticeable electoral decline. Rather than deflecting blame, Mbalula indicated that the NEC is actively taking responsibility by intervening in the provinces most impacted by the recent losses. “The NEC was already taking responsibility by intervening in the provinces that lost the most votes,” he explained, underscoring the party’s commitment to rectifying its past mistakes.
The ANC’s concerted efforts to address the challenges in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng reflect the party’s awareness of the urgency surrounding its electoral viability. As the 2026 local government elections loom, it remains to be seen how effective these strategies will be in reversing the party’s current trajectory.