I had earlier predicted that the ANC would retain Mogale City. It was not to be: the ANC has lost and been reduced to the official opposition party. This has humbled and shocked the former governing party.
On the other hand, the DA-led coalition won the City – although the ANC has retained the positions of Speaker and Chief Whip. Lynn Pannall was elected Executive Mayor, and congratulations are in order!
The ANC has ruled for 22 years in Mogale. The pertinent question is: what has it done in the last 22 years? A lot, I must say. However, the bad clouded the good the party has done. The ANC has itself to blame for that.
During its tenure, the ANC suffered from the delusion that it has a natural right to power. As a result, power went to the head of the glorious movement and it disregarded the voters. The party was punished for that in the recent local municipal elections.
But losing the City could serve as a good lesson for the glorious movement. It could afford the party an opportunity to reflect and see where it has gone wrong. This could also help the movement to go back to the basics and renew itself.
The question that is lingering in the minds of many is: will the ANC ever regain Mogale? History is not on the side of the glorious movement. In Cape Town, where the ANC is the official opposition, but was previously the ruling party, there is a downward spiral. The party’s voter support decreases with every election.
That said, I maintain that the ANC still enjoys the majority support in Mogale City. If it can rid itself of the tendencies that has led it into losing power, I believe it can regain the City in the next elections, though it won’t be easy. The ball is in its court.
