President Cyril Ramaphosa warned the ANC to improve municipal service delivery ahead of local elections later this year, saying continued failures could cost the party control of major cities. An Ipsos survey found nearly six in 10 residents dissatisfied with their municipalities, citing sanitation problems and deteriorating roads. Key councils at risk include Johannesburg, Tshwane and eThekwini, where losses could accelerate the ANC’s decline and produce more fragile urban coalitions.
Ramaphosa Warns ANC: Fix Municipal Services Or Risk Losing Major Cities
President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged the African National Congress (ANC) to repair its weak record on municipal service delivery ahead of this year’s crucial local elections, warning that continued failures could cost the party control of important urban centres.
The ANC’s hold on power in South Africa — the continent’s largest economy — was weakened in 2024 when it lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since the end of apartheid and was forced into a national coalition. That shift has increased scrutiny of the party’s performance at provincial and municipal levels.
Service Failures and Voter Frustration
While power supply shows some improvement in places, residents are increasingly vocal about other basic services. An Ipsos survey found nearly six in 10 respondents were dissatisfied with their municipality’s performance, citing sanitation breakdowns, pothole-ridden roads and other infrastructure problems as recurring complaints.
Where the Risk Is Highest
Political analysts and pollsters point to councils in Gauteng — particularly Johannesburg and Tshwane — and eThekwini in KwaZulu‑Natal as the most vulnerable to voter backlash. Losing control of these cities would undermine the ANC’s influence and could produce more fragile, unstable coalitions in urban areas that are vital to national economic growth.
"Local election results could reshape South African politics at the grassroots level," the Ipsos report warned.
What’s At Stake
Municipal elections must be held before November. For the ANC, the vote is not just about retaining seats: it is a test of its ability to deliver visible, day‑to‑day services that affect citizens’ lives. Failure to act could accelerate the party’s decline in urban centres and complicate governance where coalition arrangements are already fragile.
Ramaphosa’s message to party members was clear: improve service delivery now, or face electoral consequences that could reshape local politics and economic management in South Africa’s key cities.
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