Sunday, 23 August 2026

ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa unveiled the local government election manifesto at Riverside Park in Dipsloot, with more than 4,000 supporters expected and the party deliberately choosing a smaller venue over a stadium.

The ANC walked back its plan to announce mayoral candidates, instead presenting shortlisted applicants for metros like Johannesburg; Panyaza Lesufi defended the move as a way to avoid rushing mistakes and focus on the plan first.

Political analyst Kanye Makubane said the public nomination process exposed the ANC’s lack of confidence and wider credibility problems, while also arguing the DA’s recent funding and governance controversies put both big parties on the same footing.

Kanti Pai warned South Africa’s unemployment and debt situation is not sustainable, blaming weak growth, expensive transport, poor regulation and underused capital for keeping workers out of the economy.