Analyst suggests ANC use January 8 celebrations to focus on upcoming local govt elections
Political analyst Wayne Sussman said it was pointless to spend a lot of time crying over spilt milk.
JOHANNESBURG - Some political analysts believe the African National Congress (ANC) should use its upcoming birthday celebrations to outline its strategy for regaining lost ground for the 2026 local government elections.
The ANC will celebrate its 113th anniversary with a rally at Mandela Park Stadium in Khayelitsha this weekend.
Party president Cyril Ramaphosa is set to deliver this year’s annual January 8 statement, where he is expected to reflect on the party's poor electoral performance.
While ANC president Ramaphosa is expected to reflect on the party's electoral decline extensively, there are suggestions that more focus should be placed on the upcoming local government elections.
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Political analyst Wayne Sussman said it was pointless to spend a lot of time crying over spilt milk.
“It’s just about 18 months to go till the next local government election, and that’ll be the ANC’s focus. To do better.”
Another analyst, Goodenough Mashego, argues the ANC must first provide a clear justification for its decision to form the Government of National Unity (GNU).
“Because the discomfort about the ANC’s alliance with the Democratic Alliance is not only amongst those that left, but it's also amongst those that remain in the ANC.”
However, Sussman believes the ANC may grow this time around, considering its performance at by-elections across the country.