Prof André Duvenhage from the North-West University has dismissed the ANC’s 2026 Local Government Elections manifesto as unlikely to make a significant difference, saying it largely repeats promises made in previous election campaigns. 

“The ANC has pledges for a second chance, but the manifesto is nothing new. It is similar to warm-up action plans from previous elections. It is insignificant,” Duvenhage said. 

His comments came as a sea of yellow filled Riverside Park in Diepsloot yesterday (August 23) for the launch of the party’s ‘Better Communities, Together’ manifesto. 

Analyst questions accountability record 

Duvenhage said the DA’s ‘Working for All’ manifesto was by far the strongest and most advanced of those launched over the past month. The EFF and SACP have also launched their manifestos. 

The ANC manifesto acknowledges that many municipalities continue to struggle with unreliable services, ageing infrastructure, financial distress, corruption and weak leadership, despite progress made since 1994. 

The party says its focus for the next five years will be less on expanding access to services and more on making existing municipal systems work reliably, efficiently and honestly. 

ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa’s ‘Clock It’ message was one of the defining phrases of the launch, with the party promising to put deadlines, measurable targets and monitoring mechanisms behind its service-delivery commitments. 

Ramaphosa said ANC mayors and councillors would have to publish their priorities, establish service-delivery baselines and show measurable progress, allowing communities to track whether promises are actually being delivered. 

Duvenhage, however, said that while ANC supporters might believe the ‘Clock It’ approach will improve accountability, historical evidence suggests otherwise. 

“The ANC has tried for decades to establish service-delivery commitments and baselines, but to no avail. One thing the ANC is not willing to depart from is its corrupt practices,” he said. 

Duvenhage said the ANC’s emphasis on its achievements since 1994 was an attempt to demonstrate its record of delivery, including the expansion of electricity to informal settlements and increased access to basic services. 

“But that is far in the past,” he said, arguing that the party should be judged on its current record of municipal service delivery rather than achievements made during the early years of democracy. 

Party pledges 100-day service drive 

At the centre of the plan is a 100-day programme aimed at delivering visible improvements in every ward. ANC-led municipalities will be expected to repair potholes and streetlights, fix water leaks and sewage spills, clear illegal dumping, unblock stormwater drains, cut overgrown vegetation and clean public spaces. 

ANC mayors must hold community imbizos and publish 100-day programmes, while councillors will be required to meet residents within 30 days, provide their contact details and agree on communication channels with communities. 

Within 60 days, municipalities must publish a ‘State of the Municipality Report’ covering their financial, governance and service-delivery position, with a recovery and delivery plan where necessary. 

The ANC also promises to stimulate local economies by identifying investment opportunities, supporting local businesses and catalytic projects, and paying legitimate and compliant suppliers within 30 days. 

The manifesto further promises to expand free basic services for vulnerable households, strengthen community safety forums, improve municipal finances, fight corruption and make municipal land and buildings work for communities. 

Councillors will be required to sign performance agreements and ethical pledges, while ward committees and anti-corruption reporting channels will be strengthened. 

The ANC has grouped its commitments into six priorities: Reliable, quality and affordable basic services and infrastructure; economic development and jobs; safe, healthy and resilient communities; sustainable municipal finances; capable developmental local government with zero tolerance for corruption; and stronger community participation and communication. 

The party also promises to build climate-resilient municipalities and improve conditions for young people, elderly people and people with disabilities. 

Coalition prospects shape metro races 

Looking ahead to the elections, Duvenhage predicted that the DA would secure between 20% and 25% support nationally. 

Although the DA is the second-largest party in South Africa, he said he did not expect it to secure a majority in Tshwane. 

“It will be forced to form coalitions. It will work with the ANC, but definitely not with the EFF or MK,” he said. 

He believes mayoral candidate Helen Zille will have a better chance of forming stable coalitions in Johannesburg than mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink will have in Tshwane. 

“Tshwane has a history of coalition chaos,” he said, referring to Brink’s tenure as mayor.  

His DA-led coalition faced political instability and service-delivery problems before ActionSA withdrew from the coalition. Brink was subsequently removed as mayor in September 2024 following an ANC-backed motion of no confidence. 

Duvenhage also believes Gayton McKenzie’s Patriotic Alliance could hurt the DA in the Western Cape. 

“Something that I have perceived over the past years is what we call identity politics. We see that in the formation of MK, the white votes are going to the FF Plus and the brown votes are going to the PA. This is something that cannot be ignored during the upcoming elections,” he said. 

• The views expressed in this report were expressed by the relevant interviewees and the parties they represent and are not held by this publication.

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