Eastern Cape – ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe has urged voters to remember the party’s record on basic services as it battles to rebuild support ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
Speaking to ANC supporters in the Eastern Cape over the weekend, Mantashe called on party volunteers to remind communities about RDP housing, education, electricity, social grants, healthcare and other government programmes delivered under ANC-led administrations.
“Please vote for the ANC on November 4 and pass the message to others… We don’t want to be in charge, but we want to deliver services to you,” Mantashe said.
ANC National Chairperson Cde Gwede Mantashe reflects on the interventions introduced through ANC policies to improve the lives of South Africans and urges communities to build on this progress by voting ANC on 4 November.#ANCInChurch #ANCInEasternCape… pic.twitter.com/aVoDhMo4Hy
— ANC – African National Congress (@MYANC) September 13, 2026
He rejected suggestions that highlighting these services amounted to buying voters’ support.
“It’s our duty to provide service,” he said.
Mantashe’s appeal comes as the ANC attempts to recover from a sharp decline in voter support, with service delivery failures, unreliable infrastructure, unemployment and poverty among issues that have fuelled frustration with the party.
The ANC lost its national majority for the first time since 1994 in the 2024 general elections, forcing it to enter a Government of National Unity with other political parties.
The party is now preparing for the local government elections on November 4, where control of municipalities will be at stake.
[WATCH] ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe to a Freedom Park resident: “Do your grandchildren get a child support grant?”
Resident: “Yes”
Mantashe: “Who is giving them that?” pic.twitter.com/3nmYjQ46Wg— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) September 5, 2026
Mantashe urged ANC volunteers to continue taking the party’s record directly to communities and reminding voters of what it says it has delivered over the past three decades.
The appeal, however, comes against growing pressure on the ANC to demonstrate improvements in local government, where voters are increasingly demanding reliable water, electricity, roads, sanitation and other basic services.
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
