ANC's Local Election Manifesto Promises Accountability

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday, August 23, 2026, launched the ruling African National Congress's manifesto for the upcoming local government elections, pledging to restore basic services and hold officials accountable while acknowledging past governance failures. The manifesto, titled "Masakane," meaning "let us build," was unveiled at Riverside Park in Diepsloot, north of Johannesburg, ahead of the national vote scheduled for November 4, 2026.

Ramaphosa outlined a six-point plan focused on delivering reliable water and electricity, creating jobs and investment, improving community safety, stabilizing municipal finances, ensuring ethical local government, and increasing community participation. A central promise is the restoration of free basic services to indigent households within 100 days and bringing municipalities back to health within five years. He emphasized that newly elected representatives would begin work immediately, stating, "The work will begin on the first day after the election. We are going to clock it."

The launch comes against the backdrop of a severe crisis in municipal finances and service delivery. The ANC's own electricity minister,...