The ANC will convene a national “roll call” event for all its councillors to push for service delivery with accountability as it begins preparations for the local government elections.

The party announced on Wednesday that the gathering would take place at the FNB Stadium in Soweto, Gauteng, on Monday.

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) confirmed last week that the elections could take place between 2 November 2026 and 31 January 2027.

ANC’s Position After 2024 Setback

The ANC lost control of Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni during the 2016 and 2021 local government elections.

Opposition parties formed coalitions that pushed the ANC out of majority power, leaving it to govern through fragile coalition and minority arrangements in Gauteng’s metros.

It holds a slim majority in eThekwini, where insiders fear it could lose to Jacob Zuma’s MK Party.

The party has abandoned hopes of regaining Cape Town, where it last governed in 2005.

ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the gathering would redefine the party’s service delivery agenda.

It will also sharpen interventions and accelerate development in line with its renewal mandate.

“The people of South Africa have made their choice crystal clear that they place their faith and trust in the ANC. These results starkly contradict the narratives of decline pushed by naysayers and hostile forces, including their opinion polls,” she said.

Bhengu-Motsiri praised the party’s renewal process, insisting the ANC remains a stable force.

“With every ward retained and every mandate renewed, the ANC recommits to intensifying service delivery, strengthening local government, and ensuring that the people’s needs are always placed first.”

Past Precedent

The ANC conducted a similar roll call in 2021, one month before the local government elections, to confirm its list of candidates.

According to IOL, the ruling party faces tensions in the tripartite alliance.

The South African Communist Party (SACP) resolved at its 2022 national congress to contest elections directly.

In 2024, the SACP reaffirmed its intention to participate in the 2026 local elections. Pledging to deepen working-class power and offer a socialist alternative to communities.

Can ANC use its roll call to rebuild trust and secure local election wins in 2026?

Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1

Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.