Senior ANC leaders insist that the organisation must return to its traditional, ground-level mobilisation methods, emphasising that there is “no alternative” to intensive door-to-door campaigning ahead of upcoming elections.
They argue that the ANC’s historical success—dating back to the 1994 democratic breakthrough—has always relied on direct voter engagement and structured reporting systems that ensured every community was reached.
“The door-to-door process has worked since 1994. Throughout successive elections, we built strong support because we focused on visiting households and using our street sheets to track how effectively our comrades engaged with voters. Our network was rich, effective, and proven—and we must return to that way of working,” the leader explained.
SACP–ANC Election Impasse Widens
At the same time, tensions between the ANC and its ally, the South African Communist Party (SACP), remain unresolved following the SACP’s announcement that it will independently contest the 2026 Local Government Elections.
Until an agreement is reached, ANC leadership has directed SACP members—many of whom hold dual membership—to withdraw from any ANC discussions related to election strategy, messaging, and tactics. The ANC argues that active participation could create conflicts of interest regarding campaign direction and voter mobilisation.
“All we are saying is that as we develop our strategies and tactics for the elections, they should recuse themselves. Many of them have acknowledged they would be conflicted and have already stepped back. I am confident that we will resolve this matter,” the official stated.
The directive reflects growing concern within the ANC about how dual membership may affect loyalty, campaigning responsibilities, and voter alignment in the lead-up to 2026.