ANC celebrating 113th anniversary amid uncertainty about political future after electoral decline

JOHANNESBURG - The African National Congress (ANC) is celebrating its 113th birthday amid uncertainty about its political future following a dramatic decline in support.  

Some political analysts suggested that the party should use its anniversary to carefully reflect on how it can return to its former glory.  

ALSO READ:

- Analyst suggests ANC celebrating birthday in WC in bid to regain lost ground in province

- 'All systems go' for ANC's birthday celebrations – Mashatile

- Analyst suggests ANC use January 8 celebrations to focus on upcoming local govt elections

In 2024, the ANC endured its worst electoral performance to date, losing sole control of three provinces and its majority in the National Assembly.  

The party will mark its 113th anniversary on Wednesday with a rally planned for Saturday at the Mandela Park Stadium in Khayelitsha, Cape Town.  

Since the 1994 elections, the ANC has faced a series of electoral setbacks.  

It first lost Cape Town to the Democratic Alliance (DA) in 2006, followed by the loss of Western Cape to the same political party three years later.  

In 2016, the ANC lost control of the three metros in Gauteng and lost its majority in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and Northern Cape just in 2024.  

Political analyst Wayne Sussman said as the ANC celebrates its 113th birthday, it must reassure its supporters that it can reverse its downward trajectory.  

“The party is coming from its worst-ever electoral performance, so it will be a time for introspection. So, the party will believe that it can regain support and that it’s still going to be the dominant party in South African politics.”  

Another analyst, Dirk Kotze, suggested that the effectiveness of the ANC’s efforts to return to its former glory will be tested in the 2026 local government elections.