ANC pushes back on DA challenge as Johannesburg election campaign heats up
The African National Congress (ANC) has sought to reassure Johannesburg residents it will defend its support base in the run-up to the 4 November local government elections, saying it is not "scared" of efforts by the Democratic Alliance (DA) to reclaim the metro.
At a media briefing on the ANC’s review of its 2021 local government election manifesto and planning for 2026, senior ANC NEC member Stella Ndabeni, who chairs the party’s local government interventions team, said the party remained confident despite mounting criticism over governance and service delivery.
Ndabeni pointed to the shift in municipal control after the 2016 elections, arguing the decline in Johannesburg’s administration followed the DA’s period in charge and its subsequent alliance with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). She said the ANC had undertaken an internal review to identify where it had failed and to sharpen its response going into the polls.
“We are not scared. We are not scared because the ANC government was here earlier ... It only got messed up and went down after they took over, when they were working with the EFF,” said Ndabeni.
Her comments underline the ANC’s strategy of framing the contest as a choice between restoring its prior record in the city and returning to the instability the party says followed the loss of its council majority in 2016. Ndabeni acknowledged the party faces challenges, saying the review highlighted the need for “timely and decisive interventions” where the ANC had been slow to act.
Mayoral slates and campaign dynamics
The ANC has not yet announced its mayoral candidates for Johannesburg, Ndabeni said, while several opposition parties have largely finalised their slates. That gap in announcements could become a focal point for critics who say the party lacks readiness at municipal level, but ANC officials insist they are preparing targeted interventions to address service delivery problems and organisational weaknesses.
- Election date: 4 November 2026.
- ANC position: Confident in retaining support after a manifesto review; admits failures and promises interventions.
- Opposition: DA campaigning to reclaim Johannesburg; some rival parties have announced mayoral candidates.
Historical context — what Ndabeni referenced
The ANC governed the City of Johannesburg from the first democratic local elections in 1994 until it lost its council majority in 2016. That defeat led to a DA-led administration under Herman Mashaba. The ANC blames subsequent decline in municipal performance on the DA’s period in office and its cooperation with the EFF.
| Period | Council control (as referenced) |
|---|---|
| 1994–2016 | ANC |
| 2016–present | DA-led coalition (including Mashaba period) |
Political observers and voters in Johannesburg will watch closely whether the ANC’s internal review and promised interventions translate into concrete plans on service delivery, administration and candidate selection. The metro faces persistent pressures from residents demanding better water, electricity, waste removal and road maintenance — issues that typically dominate municipal campaigns.
For ordinary Johannesburg residents, the election will be judged on practical outcomes: who can reliably maintain municipal services, restore functioning administration, and deliver accountable local governance. With a tight calendar and rival parties sharpening their messages, Johannesburg’s city council contest is set to be a decisive battleground in November.
Ndabeni said the ANC would continue to engage communities and refine its approach in the coming weeks as the party finalises its preparations.
