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ANC faces electoral slump, vows to regain support by 2026

Sandi Kwon Hoo|Published

The newly elected ANC leadership Provincial chairperson Zamani Saul, Deputy Provincial chairperson Bentley Vass, Provincial Secretary Deshi Ngxanga, Deputy Provincial Secretary Maruping Lekwene and Provincial Treasurer Fufe Makatong.

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The ANC in the Northern Cape is regrouping after a drop in voter support after the last elections.

However, with the Top 5 provincial leaders re-elected uncontested this week, the move has been hailed as a sign of unity ahead of the 2026 local government elections.

Provincial chairperson Dr Zamani Saul blamed loadshedding for low voter turnout in last year’s elections and said the party is working to win back its base.

ANC members celebrate during the provincial conference.

Image: Sandi Kwon Hoo

Former ANC provincial chairperson Manne Dipico, meanwhile, reminded members that they were “servants of the people”. 

He added that the 49 percent support received by the ANC in the national general elections served as a “wake up call” to not become complacent.

“Where did we go wrong? We need to go back to basics.  If we do not galvanise and energise the people, we will be without jobs.” 

Dipico encouraged members to put their differences aside and work together with the newly elected leadership. 

“It is a case of do or die. We have no time to play around."

Former ANC provincial chairperson Manne Dipico.

Image: Sandi Kwon Hoo

Cosatu provincial secretary Orapeleng Moraladi said the ANC was “standing at the crossroads” where voters who were “not happy with the stance” of the party had decided to stay away at the polls.

“Voters feel disrespected by the opulence, self entitlement, arrogance and factions. This is in opposition to the principles of the ANC to remain humble, disciplined. This is while the masses are reduced to being beggars who live in squalor.”

SACP provincial secretary Norman Shushu highlighted the need to regain the trust of voters if it wished to reclaim support from opposition parties such as the EFF and MKP.

“Voters will find an alternative political home, as they feel abandoned by the ANC.”

The ANC held its 10th provincial elective conference in Kimberley this week.

Image: Sandi Kwon Hoo

The ANC is "standing at the crossroads" after receiving a 49 percent support base during the national general elections .

Image: Sandi Kwon Hoo

ANC members voted in the new PEC leadership unopposed at the provincial conference.

Image: Sandi Kwon Hoo