The ANC in 2026: What’s Really Happening?
The ANC is not what it used to be. In 2026, the party is fighting for its life. People are angry. Service delivery is bad, jobs are few, and corruption is everywhere. Once, the ANC was the party of hope and freedom. Now, many South Africans see it as the party of broken promises.
Let’s look at how things got so bad, what’s happening right now, and where the ANC could be heading next year and beyond.
How Did It Get This Bad?
Back in the day, the ANC was the hero. But after 30 years in power, too many leaders started looking out for themselves. Corruption became a daily story. From the days of Jacob Zuma and the state capture scandal, billions went missing. People at Eskom stole money meant for electricity. Municipal officials used public funds to buy fancy cars and holidays. Even after Cyril Ramaphosa promised to clean up, the same old problems stayed.
Everyone talks about state capture. This just means a handful of politicians and their friends controlled big state companies to steal money. For example, the Gupta family had so much power, they could decide who ran Eskom or Transnet. Money that should have gone to fixing potholes, schools, or clinics just disappeared.
2026: The ANC’s Toughest Year Yet
2026 is a turning point. Many polls show the ANC could drop below 30% support nationally. Some even predict the party could sink under 20% in the local elections. That’s never happened before. Even old ANC strongholds, like the Eastern Cape or Limpopo, are shaky.
People are fed up. They complain about load shedding, no water in some towns, and no jobs. Even ANC councillors say it’s hard to convince people to vote for them. There’s less money to campaign, and trust is at an all-time low. The ANC is fighting with itself, too. Factions inside the party blame each other for the mess.
Real Corruption Examples
Here are just a few big corruption stories that broke trust:
Eskom: Billions stolen through fake contracts, leaving the country in darkness.
VBS Bank: Municipal money meant for people’s services was looted by politicians and their friends.
COVID-19 PPE scandal: Millions wasted on dodgy tenders for masks and gloves, with top politicians’ families involved.
Municipal fraud: Many towns, like Emfuleni, can’t deliver water or fix roads because money was stolen or spent on parties.
State Capture: Under Zuma, state-owned businesses like Transnet and Eskom were milked dry by friends of the ruling elite.
Every time a new scandal comes out, more people lose faith in the ANC. Some even say the party is a “criminal enterprise”.
What Is the ANC Doing About It?
Some people in the ANC say things must change. The party’s own documents promise to drag the corrupt “from the shadows”. They talk about building independent ethics tribunals (special groups to catch and punish the corrupt) and ending cadre deployment (giving government jobs to party friends instead of the best people).
But many South Africans don’t believe the promises anymore. The ANC has said “we’ll fix it” for years, but things are still bad. Even inside the party, there’s fighting. Younger members want change. Older leaders want to protect their friends. The National General Council (NGC) this year is supposed to be a big showdown, where the party will decide if it really wants to clean up – or just carry on as usual.
Could the ANC Change?
Most experts say real change is not likely. The people who have the power to fix things are often the same ones who caused the problems. Even President Ramaphosa, once seen as a hope for change, hasn’t managed to clean up the party. The next ANC leader after him might be even weaker, or come from the more radical, populist side of the party.
If the ANC can’t prove it is serious about ending corruption, it will keep losing support. Some say the only thing that can save the ANC now is a total clean-out – new leaders, jail for the corrupt, and a real focus on fixing basic services. But that’s a big ask.
What About the 2026 Elections?
2026 will be the hardest election yet for the ANC. The Democratic Alliance (DA) and smaller parties are gaining ground. The ANC could lose control of many towns and cities. Even in Parliament, the ANC might struggle to pass new laws without help from other parties.
If they do badly, the ANC could split. Some members might leave to start new parties or join the EFF or DA. Others will try to hold on, hoping things get better. But unless they fix the corruption, most people think the party will keep shrinking.
Comparison: ANC vs DA in 2026
| Feature | ANC | DA |
|---|---|---|
| Support (2025 polls) | Below 30% | Above 30% |
| Corruption record | Many scandals | Fewer, but not perfect |
| Service delivery | Poor in many areas | Better in DA-led cities like Cape Town |
| Leadership fights | Constant, very divided | Some, but less public |
| Public trust | Falling fast | Rising, but still mixed |
What Could Happen Next?
Here’s what might happen over the next year:
The ANC keeps fighting with itself, and corruption stories keep coming out.
More people vote for the DA, EFF, or smaller parties in 2026.
Service delivery gets worse in some places as the ANC loses control of councils and towns.
If the ANC does badly, some leaders might leave or start new parties.
The DA could become the biggest party by 2029, but only if it can win over poor and working-class voters.
What Does This Mean For You?
For most South Africans, it means things could get messy before they get better. If you rely on government services, you might see even more problems before new leaders fix things. But there’s also hope – if enough people vote for real change, things can improve.
Don’t just trust party promises. Ask: Who is fixing electricity? Who is repairing roads? Who is delivering water? Vote for the people doing the work – not just the ones talking the loudest.
The ANC’s story in 2026 is a warning. No party can survive forever if it forgets the people. Watch the news, check the facts, and don’t give your vote away for free.