Gauteng ANC to Prioritise Service Delivery Ahead of 2027 Elections, SA Doesn’t Believe It's Possible
- Panyaza Lesufi promised that the African National Congress (ANC) would focus on service delivery
- The Gauteng premier stated that the party wanted to reclaim the majority vote in the province
- South Africans mocked Lesufi, saying that the ANC didn’t know what service delivery is
Source: Getty Images
Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
GAUTENG – The African National Congress (ANC) has promised to prioritise service delivery in the province ahead of the Local Government Elections in 2027.
Gauteng is currently run by a coalition government led by the ANC, but the party is intent on securing the majority in the next elections.
The ANC was forced to work with the Patriotic Alliance, Inkatha Freedom Party and RISE Mzansi in Gauteng after no party received a majority in the 2024 national elections.
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The poor showing of the ANC in Gauteng also led to its provincial structures being changed to turn things around in the next elections.
ANC to focus on service delivery going forward
In order to reclaim top spot in the province, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi promised the party would not take any shortcuts regarding service delivery.
He made the comments during his closing remarks at a two-day ANC Lekgotla in Johannesburg on Sunday, 4 May 2025.
The premier stated that the party would undertake a return to the basics, which included service delivery, as he noted that the ANC identified 14 problems in the province that needed attention.
On the list are issues such as crime, potholes, water shortages and Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), to name a few.
Lesufi explained that work was already underway to tackle these issues.
"We are proud to report that on every issue, all our commissions, in the past two days, have been hard at work in making firm proposals,” he noted.
Also on that list is poor service at hospitals and clinics. Deputy Health Minister Joe Phaahla, recently admitted that Gauteng’s health system was at breaking point.
Source: Getty Images
South Africans are not buying the premier’s promise
Social media users were not buying what Lesufi was selling, as they said that the ANC didn’t know anything about service delivery.
Santie Bezuidenhout asked:
“And it wasn't a priority for the past 30 years?”
Daniel Louw stated:
“Hey baba, you know nothing about service delivery.”
Given Masilela Ma-give said:
“Since 1994, singing the same song while you are in charge. Gaslighting South Africans.”
Art Long noted:
“After 30 years, they can't collect rubbish or supply water and electricity. Pathetic.”
Anne Boyes stated:
“He can't spell service delivery.”
Colin Ritchie asked:
“Really? After 30 years, is it’s still a key priority?”
Abbey Mabotja added:
“We heard that before.”
What you need to know about the ANC
The African National Congress (ANC) was founded in 1912 to bring African people together and lead the push for real political, social and economic change in South Africa. Over the years, it became a key force in the fight against apartheid, organising protests, building international support and even taking up arms when needed.
In 1994, the ANC played a major role in ending apartheid and won South Africa’s first democratic election. This gave the party the responsibility of helping shape the country’s new Constitution, which was adopted in 1996. The ANC was re-elected in 1999 with even stronger support. Its policies come from its members, and its leaders are expected to answer to them.
Nelson Mandela, one of the ANC’s most iconic leaders, took over from Oliver Tambo as president of the party in 1991. He led the ANC through crucial negotiations with the apartheid government between 1992 and 1993.
President Cyril Ramaphosa unhappy with Gauteng
It’s not just residents who are unhappy with the state of Gauteng, President Cyril Ramaphosa is also.
Briefly News reported that the president expressed disappointment in the poor state of Johannesburg in particular.
The president warned the provincial government that it needed to improve the state of the province ahead of the G20 Summit.
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Source: Briefly News
