Local Elections Loom: ANC Faces New Challenges

Why the ANC is Worried

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) is stepping onto the local‑government stage for the first time this year. Political analyst Zakhele Ndlovu from the University of KwaZulu‑Natal says the ANC has good reason to be nervous, especially in KwaZulu‑Natal, after its poor showing in the 2024 general elections.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the municipal polls will take place on 4 November, so campaigning is already in full swing.

ANC’s Leadership Shake‑up in KZN

After the disappointing general‑election results, the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) did a major overhaul of its KwaZulu‑Natal structures in February 2025:

• The former KZN leadership headed by Sboniso Duma was disbanded.
• An interim team was put in place, convened by Jeff Radebe and coordinated by Mike Mabuyakhulu.

The goal was to rebuild the party from the branches up to the regions and win back support.

However, ANC Secretary‑General Fikile Mbalula complained that the rebuilding was moving too slowly. In response, the NEC dissolved that provisional task team (PTT) and created a new one:

• Mike Mabuyakhulu became the new convener.
• James Nxumalo – former eThekwini mayor and SACP leader in the province – took the role of coordinator.

SACP Goes Solo

The South African Communist Party (SACP), which usually runs alongside the ANC as part of the Tripartite Alliance, has decided to contest the upcoming elections on its own.

Ndlovu notes that while the SACP’s split will hurt the ANC a little, the communist party does not have a large base of supporters, so the impact will be limited.

SACP spokesperson Mbulelo Mandlana stressed that his party is not running a campaign built on spite toward the ANC. Instead, the SACP wants to put forward its own vision for transforming local government.

MKP’s Fresh Chance

Former ANC KZN chairperson Willies Mchunu, now the MKP’s provincial elections convener, said his party’s strategy is under wraps – revealing it would give opponents an advantage.

He explained that the MKP’s appeal lies in the fact that it has never governed a municipality before. Voters will be giving the party a first chance to prove itself, and Mchunu believes the “ground is fertile” for the MKP to win eThekwini and other areas, provided the party avoids internal weaknesses.

Voter Apathy and Other Hurdles

Ndlovu pointed out several factors that could keep ANC support sliding:

• Disillusioned voters – many people feel their lives aren’t improving and have lost trust in the local‑government system.
• Travel barriers – workers who live far from where they’re registered often skip voting because the trip feels like a waste of time and money.
• The “March and March” anti‑foreigner campaign – Ndlovu argues this initiative damages the ANC’s image, as many blame the party for opening the borders.

He warned that even door‑to‑door campaigning may not reverse the trend if voters have already given up hope.

What Analysts Say

Political analyst Siyabonga Ntombela echoed Ndlovu’s concerns, saying the ANC’s anxiety about losing more support is justified. He noted that while the party has tried to extend services to many communities, it has neglected urban centres where jobs and business ideas thrive.

Ntombela added that middle‑class residents in cities want reliable basic services – water, electricity – and a government that lets them contribute positively to the country. Without that trust, the ANC’s urban base could continue to erode.

Conclusion

The upcoming local elections on 4 November present a serious test for the ANC in KwaZulu‑Natal. With a new rival (MKP) entering the fray, the SACP running alone, and widespread voter apathy, the party’s traditional dominance is under pressure. Analysts agree that unless the ANC can rebuild trust, deliver visible improvements in services, and motivate disenchanted voters to show up at the polls, its support is likely to keep slipping. The next few months will show whether the ANC’s restructuring efforts can turn the tide or if fresh faces like the MKP will claim a larger share of the municipal vote.