South Africa: 'Clock It' - ANC Reheats Old Election Promises in 2026 Manifesto

What the report says

The African National Congress has used its 2026 local government elections manifesto to promise faster action on service delivery problems in South Africa’s municipalities, especially around water and electricity. According to the source article published by Daily Maverick and distributed via AllAfrica, the party unveiled the manifesto on Sunday, 23 August, in Riverside, Diepsloot, Johannesburg, where it highlighted a housing project that had delivered more than 4,000 subsidised flats to former informal settlement residents.

The event came as the ANC faces falling voter support and criticism over corruption, unemployment, municipal debt and repeated failures in basic services. The article says the party’s support has dropped from 64.82% in 2006 to 45.59% in 2021, and that it has entered the election season behind other parties in naming mayoral candidates for the eight metros.

The manifesto’s emphasis on deadlines and targeted interventions appears aimed at showing the ANC can still govern effectively in struggling municipalities. The article also notes debate around some candidate choices, including Johannesburg executive mayor Dada Morero, whose standing has been affected by the city’s ongoing water shortages and infrastructure problems. In broader context, the local elections are likely to be shaped by public frustration over municipal performance and the quality of everyday services.