President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially fired the starting gun for the 2026 Local Government Elections.
On Thursday, during a major meeting with mayors and premiers in Ekurhuleni, the President announced that South Africans will head to the polls on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
While the date brings certainty to the country, it also highlights the massive challenges facing the African National Congress (ANC).
The timing of the election could not be more difficult for the ruling party. Currently at its lowest point in history, the ANC has been forced into a Government of National Unity after losing its majority in 2024. Now, as the 2026 campaign begins, the party is dealing with a internal crisis that threatens to tear its support base apart.
One of the biggest blows comes from within its own family. The South African Communist Party (SACP) has decided to contest these elections independently. For decades, the SACP campaigned for the ANC, but that bond is now broken.
The ANC leadership has warned that this “solo run” by the SACP is a dangerous move that could weaken the entire liberation movement. Without the foot soldiers and organizers of the SACP, the ANC faces a much harder climb to stay in power.
At the same time, the party is watching a steady exodus of its experienced leaders. In the Mopani region, the departure of Maripe “Mmirwaa” Mangena and Dr. Mikia Ramothwala has sent shockwaves through the province. Mangena, a former mayor who was just four years away from being an ANC veteran, has joined ActionSA. He is expected to be announced as a mayoral candidate in Polokwane this Saturday.
Dr. Ramothwala, a former youth league leader and a protégé of Provincial Chairperson Dr. Phophi Ramathuba, has also left for ActionSA. He cited the poor state of roads, water, and healthcare as his reasons for leaving. These defections suggest that many in the ANC believe the “ship is sinking” and are looking for new political homes before the 2026 vote.
Political analysts are already making grim predictions. Some suggest that with the SACP splitting the vote and popular leaders joining the opposition, the ANC could drop to as low as 30 percent in several key municipalities. This would be a historic collapse for a party that once dominated South African politics.
President Ramaphosa admitted that public dissatisfaction is fueled by poor service delivery. He noted that when water taps are dry and roads are full of potholes, people get disgruntled.
“Our job is to demonstrate that we have plans,” the President said, urging citizens to stay involved in the democratic process.
The President is also deeply concerned about voter turnout, especially among young people. He warned that if fewer people vote, the status of democracy becomes a concern.
The next six months will be a period of intense mobilization as parties try to convince a frustrated public to trust them again.
With the date now set for November 4, the race has truly started. The ANC is no longer just fighting opposition parties; it is fighting to keep its own allies and members. As the campaign ramps up, the big question remains whether the ruling party can stop its decline or if the 2026 elections will mark the end of its era of dominance.