The African National Congress (ANC) Gwede Mantashe, has stressed that the party’s future electoral success depends on its ability to “do the right thing” and restore trust with South Africans. Speaking in a message widely shared on social media, including TikTok, Gwede argued that regaining voter confidence will not come from slogans, but through consistent delivery and accountability.
According to Gwede, the ANC’s recent decline in votes is less about supporters shifting loyalty to rival parties, and more about growing abstention. He noted that many traditional ANC voters simply chose not to cast their ballots, a warning signal that communities have grown frustrated with poor service delivery, corruption, and unfulfilled promises. For the ANC, the path forward requires honest engagement and a visible change in how it governs.
He explained that the ANC’s renewed strategy includes equipping local government leaders and public representatives with clear political direction and measurable plans of action. These performance plans, he said, will be closely monitored leading into the elections to ensure accountability. Gwede maintained that if ANC leaders stay rooted in the people’s concerns—fixing roads, improving water and electricity supply, tackling unemployment, and ensuring transparent governance—support will naturally follow.
The Secretary General tied this approach to the ANC’s broader commitment to fighting corruption and advancing socio-economic transformation. He emphasized that unemployment, poverty, and inequality remain South Africa’s most pressing challenges, and that citizens will only reward the ANC if they see concrete progress in these areas. “By doing the right thing, consistently and openly, the people will see us not just as a political party, but as a government that truly serves them,” Gwede said.
Analysts suggest that this renewed push reflects the ANC’s awareness of its vulnerability heading into the 2026 elections. Coalition politics, voter apathy, and the rise of opposition parties have reshaped the country’s political landscape. Gwede’s message, therefore, is not only a call to his party members but also a reassurance to the electorate that the ANC recognizes its mistakes and is prepared to correct them.
If the ANC can follow through on this pledge, Mbalula believes it will translate into stronger voter turnout, increased seats, and a revitalized political future.