From Daily Maverick · Tolika Sibiya · · 3m
ANC's liberation history cannot replace good governance
The ANC's electoral collapse to 31% in 2026 local elections reflects a leadership crisis that relies on past struggle credentials rather than present competence.
In brief
The ANC's electoral collapse to 31% in 2026 local elections reflects a leadership crisis that relies on past struggle credentials rather than present competence. The ANC's fall to 31% in the 2026 local elections signals a leadership crisis where liberation history no longer guarantees voter support without effective…
ANC falls to 31% in local elections
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The ANC won just 31% of the national vote in the 4 November 2026 local government elections, down from nearly 46% in the 2021 local government elections.
Party lost majority in every major city
The ANC failed to win an outright majority in any metropolitan municipality where most South Africans live and work, marking a historic shift in its political dominance.
Worst result since democracy began
The 2026 local election result is the ANC's worst electoral performance since 1994, following its loss of an outright parliamentary majority in the 2024 national election.
Young voters judge parties on performance
The current generation of voters, increasingly young, assesses political parties by their overall performance, contribution to society and ability to solve practical challenges like unemployment and poverty.
Liberation history no longer guarantees support
Both the 2024 and 2026 electoral declines signal that liberation history can no longer guarantee political support. Thirty-two years into democracy, freedom has not translated into meaningful improvements in daily lives.
“liberation history can no longer guarantee political support”
Leadership crisis at the heart of decline
The major factor behind the ANC's decline is a crisis of political leadership. Leaders must inspire society and articulate a compelling vision responding to twenty-first century social and economic realities.
Branch success does not equal national competence
Success in branch politics and securing a nomination majority does not automatically translate into the expertise, experience and broad understanding required for national leadership and governing a complex modern state.
ANC membership standards have weakened
Society is given leaders whose principal qualification is membership or mobilising capacity rather than demonstrated competence and ethical standing. The ANC has normalised the presence of individuals involved in criminality, corruption and political violence.
Political deployment has become personal security
Political appointments are treated as a source of livelihood, status or personal security rather than an opportunity to serve.
Corruption and state capture eroded credibility
Poor service delivery, deteriorating infrastructure and weak economic management have undermined public confidence. Corruption, State Capture and evidence before the Madlanga Commission on criminality and political interference have further eroded the ANC's credibility.
ANC must rebuild through radical renewal
The ANC must develop a radical programme of renewal by rebuilding internal democracy, strengthening accountability and ensuring leadership selection is based on competence, integrity and a record of service.
Relevance must be earned, not inherited
The ANC must move beyond defending its history and demonstrate why it remains necessary to the country's future. Its relevance must be earned through visionary leadership, integrity and ethical conduct, not liberation history alone.
“Liberation history alone cannot substitute for effective governance”
The main idea
The ANC's fall to 31% in the 2026 local elections signals a leadership crisis where liberation history no longer guarantees voter support without effective governance.
