Cyril Ramaphosa Defends ANC’s Ability To Lead Amid Growing Electoral Pressure
- Cyril Ramaphosa campaigned in Thembisa ahead of local government elections, where residents raised serious service delivery concerns
- The ANC is facing mounting pressure after failing to submit candidate lists on time in six municipalities, with the matter now before the Electoral Court
- Ramaphosa pushed back against claims the ANC is losing its grip on South Africa, citing the party's membership base and national structures
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GAUTENG — ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa has moved to defend his party's capacity to govern South Africa, making his case directly to voters in Thembisa as local government elections draw nearer.
Ramaphosa canvassed the area amid widespread frustration over service delivery, with water supply emerging as one of the most pressing concerns among residents. He said the government had elevated the country's water crisis to the level of a national priority and that concrete efforts were under way to resolve persistent supply failures.
Beyond infrastructure, Ramaphosa outlined an economic vision centred on attracting investment and generating lasting growth. He pointed to regulatory certainty, technological advancement and a skilled labour force as the key pillars needed to strengthen the economy and expand job opportunities for South Africans.
ANC's electoral challenges mount
The campaign visit comes at a difficult moment for the governing party. The ANC has recorded a steady erosion of voter support in recent years and now faces an additional legal obstacle after failing to submit candidate lists on time in six municipalities. The party has challenged the Independent Electoral Commission's decision to exclude those lists, taking the dispute to the Electoral Court. The outcome of that case could directly determine whether the ANC is able to contest elections in the affected areas.
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In spite of the pressure bearing down on the party, Ramaphosa dismissed suggestions that the ANC's political relevance was fading. He argued that the organisation remained firmly embedded in communities across the country, drawing on a substantial membership base and functioning structures at every level of government.
Water and economy at the centre of the campaign
Service delivery, particularly access to reliable water, is expected to remain a defining issue for voters heading into the elections. Ramaphosa's appearance in Thembisa signals that the ANC is aware of the need to reconnect with communities where basic services have fallen short.
The governing party's performance at the polls will likely hinge on whether voters accept its pledges on water, economic reform and stability, or whether growing disillusionment continues to drive support towards opposition parties.
Ramaphosa vows to hold ANC mayors and councillors accountable
Briefly News also reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa promised that the African National Congress (ANC) would hold its elected local government officials to formal accountability standards or remove them from office.Speaking at Riverside Park, Diepsloot, where the party launched its election manifesto, Ramaphosa stated that every ANC mayor and councillor would be required to sign a public performance agreement and a code of ethical conduct. The Local Government Elections will be held on 4 November 2026.
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Source: Briefly News
