South Africa’s ANC has pledged to improve basic services, strengthen municipalities and tackle corruption ahead of the November 4 local government elections…reports Africa Daily News Desk
South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) has pledged to improve local governance and basic service delivery as it launched its manifesto for the country’s November 4 local government elections.
ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa unveiled the party’s 2026 local government election manifesto in Diepsloot, north of Johannesburg, on Sunday, outlining priorities including improved water and electricity supplies, stronger local government, economic growth and job creation, safer communities and action against corruption.
Ramaphosa said the manifesto had been developed following consultations with communities across the country. He said the process included contributions from the Congress of South African Trade Unions, the South African National Civic Organisation, lawyers’ organisations and residents of informal settlements.
The ANC leader said the party would continue investing in infrastructure to improve the reliability of electricity and water supplies while making public spaces safer.
He also highlighted measures aimed at strengthening accountability within the party. According to Ramaphosa, the ANC had established an integrity commission and introduced a step-aside rule requiring members facing serious criminal charges, including corruption cases, to relinquish their positions until their cases are concluded.
The party would seek to transform municipalities into “engines of development” by attracting investment and supporting job creation, Ramaphosa said.
He added that national and provincial governments would provide financial assistance to small businesses to help them establish or maintain their operations.
Safety was also identified as a key priority for local economic development. Ramaphosa said law enforcement agencies would work with Community Policing Forums to tackle crime in streets, communities and on public transport.
The ANC also pledged measures linked to immigration enforcement. Ramaphosa said local authorities would assist in enforcing immigration laws, while the government would employ 10,000 labour inspectors to visit companies, check compliance with labour regulations and verify that employees were legally in the country.
The manifesto sets out the ANC’s priorities ahead of the November local government elections, with service delivery, municipal governance, economic development, public safety and corruption among the central issues highlighted by the party.
The launch comes as the ANC seeks to strengthen its position in local government and address concerns over the delivery of basic services and the performance of municipalities.
