African National Congress (ANC)

Written by Luyanda Seluleko Mhlongo

Published on 30 September 2026

Who is the party?

The African National Congress (ANC) is a political organisation that was founded in 1912. It became South Africa's governing party after the first democratic elections in 1994. For the 2026 local government elections, the ANC has described 2026 as the "Year of Decisive Action to Fix Local Government and Transform the Economy". its local government programme focuses on improving basic services, strengthening municipalities, creating jobs and improving accountability.

What is the ANC promising for local government?

The ANC's local government programme focuses strongly on water, electricity, sanitation, roads, human settlements, waste removal, local economic development and municipal governance. The party says that fixing local government requires better infrastructure, stronger municipal administration, improved financial management and greater accountability.

Water and Sanitation

Water is one of the ANC's major areas of focus. In its 2024 National Elections manifesto, the party committed to improving access to clean water and strengthening the ability of municipalities to provide water services. It also proposed greater involvement by national and provincial government where municipalities are struggling to provide water services. The manifesto includes plans to improve water infrastructure, complete major water projects and use public employment programs to help municipalities repair water leaks.

The ANC's 2026 local government programme continues to identify water provision and infrastructure as priority areas. It has also called for rapid response technical teams to be deployed to municipalities facing serious service-delivery problems.

What this could mean for residents:

For residents experiencing water shortages, leaking pipes or unreliable water infrastructure, the ANC's proposals mean greater attention to repairing and maintaining water systems. Where a municipality is unable to deal with a serious water problem, the party proposes stronger support or intervention from other levels of government.

Electricity and energy

The ANC identifies electricity supply and the stability of municipal energy networks as important parts of its local-government programme. Its 2026 programme includes energy network stability among the areas requiring urgent attention. The party has also called on municipalities to improve their revenue collection and financial management so that they can meet their obligations for services such as electricity.

What this could mean for residents:

The proposal is aimed at improving the reliability of municipal electricity networks and the ability of municipalities to maintain their infrastructure. Better financial management is also intended to help municipalities pay for services and maintain the systems they operate.

Jobs and local economic development

Job creation is another major part of the ANC's 2026 programme. The party says local government has an important role in economic development and job creation. It has called on municipalities to develop local economic development plans based on the economic strengths of each area and to work with businesses and other partners to attract investment.

The ANC has also called for municipalities to support local small businesses, including township and rural businesses. Its 2026 programme proposes reviewing municipal by-laws to make it easier for small businesses and informal businesses to operate, including by reducing unnecessary administrative barriers. It also supports preferential procurement that gives opportunities to local businesses.

What this could mean for residents:

If implemented, these proposals could make it easier for small businesses to operate in their communities and to participate in municipal opportunities. Municipalities could also use local development plans to support businesses and attract investment. However, municipalities cannot create all employment on their own, and broader employment policy involves national and provincial government as well.

Roads, sanitation and waste removal

The ANC has identified road maintenance, sanitation and refuse removal as central parts of its plan to improve local government. Its 2026 programme describes these services as areas that need urgent attention as part of improving the daily experience of residents.

The party has also identified infrastructure maintenance as a major concern. Its local-government programme calls for rebuilding and protecting infrastructure, including water systems, electricity networks and roads.

What this could mean for residents:

For residents, this could mean greater attention to maintaining local roads, collecting refuse and improving sanitation infrastructure. The practical effect would depend on the municipality's available budget, infrastructure condition and ability to carry out the work.

Human settlements

Human settlements are included among the ANC's priorities for fixing local government. The party has identified the delivery of human settlements as one of the areas requiring attention in municipalities. Its 2024 manifesto also includes commitments relating to decent housing and basic services.

What this could mean for residents:

The proposal relates to improving access to housing and the services connected to human settlements. Housing delivery involves more than municipalities alone, so implementation would require cooperation between different spheres of government.

Accountability and municipal leadership

The ANC's 2026 local-government programme places significant emphasis on improving the way municipalities are governed. The party has identified problems such as governance instability, institutional weaknesses, poor infrastructure spending and corruption as issues that need to be addressed. It proposes stronger oversight, greater accountability and better-qualified municipal leadership.

The ANC has also said that councillors and municipal officials who do not perform their duties or violate ethical standards should face accountability measures.

What this could mean for residents:

The aim is to have municipalities that are better managed and more accountable to the communities they serve. For residents, this could mean stronger monitoring of municipal performance and clearer consequences when officials fail to perform their responsibilities.

How does the ANC say it will achieve and fund these promises?

The ANC's approach includes improving municipal financial management, increasing revenue collection, strengthening municipal administration and making better use of existing infrastructure budgets.

The party has called on municipalities to implement revenue collection plans to improve collection rates and strengthen their ability to pay for bulk water and electricity. It has also called for outstanding debts owed to municipalities to be addressed because unpaid municipal accounts can affect the ability of municipalities to provide services.

The ANC also supports greater coordination between national, provincial and local government. Its 2026 programme calls for planning and budgeting across the different spheres of government to be better aligned. It also proposes capacity-building interventions for municipalities that need additional support.

National Treasury explains that municipalities receive funding from their own revenue as well as transfers from nationally raised revenue. The local-government equitable share is one of these transfers and helps municipalities provide basic services and perform their responsibilities. Therefore, municipal services are not funded only through money collected directly from residents.

The ANC's proposals therefore include improving the money municipalities already collect, strengthening financial management, using infrastructure budgets more effectively and working with national and provincial government where additional support is required.

Are these promises part of the duties of local government?

Some of the ANC's priorities fall directly within local-government responsibilities, while others require cooperation with national or provincial government.

The Constitution lists water and sanitation services, electricity and gas reticulation, municipal roads, refuse removal and solid-waste disposal among areas associated with local government. Municipalities also have responsibilities relating to local economic development and other local services.

This means that promises concerning municipal water services, electricity distribution, refuse removal, sanitation and local roads are connected to responsibilities that municipalities have.

However, municipalities do not control every issue that affects residents. Housing, employment, policing and many aspects of economic policy involve other spheres of government. Housing is a shared national and provincial legislative function, while policing is primarily a national function. Municipalities can have supporting roles in these areas, but they cannot act alone.

The Constitution also requires local government to provide services in a sustainable manner, promote social and economic development, promote a safe and healthy environment and encourage communities to participate in local government.

In summary

The ANC's 2026 local-government programme focuses on fixing municipal services, improving infrastructure, strengthening municipal management, creating local economic opportunities and increasing accountability. Key areas identified by the party include water, electricity, sanitation, roads, refuse removal, human settlements and local economic development.

The party says it will work towards these goals through stronger municipal administration, improved revenue collection, better financial management, infrastructure investment, support for local businesses and greater cooperation between different spheres of government.

Some of these areas are direct municipal responsibilities, while others require national or provincial government involvement. Understanding this distinction helps residents see both what the ANC is promising and what local government is legally able to do.