African National Congress (ANC) KwaZulu-Natal coordinator James Nxumalo has defended his party’s record in government as the organisation steps up its campaign ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
Nxumalo, who previously served as mayor of eThekwini Municipality, made the comments during an ANC campaign trail in the province as the party seeks to rebuild support among KwaZulu-Natal voters.
Party Seeks to Recover Ground After 2024 Election
The ANC enters the local government election campaign after suffering a major setback in KwaZulu-Natal during the 2024 national and provincial elections.
The party received about 17% of the provincial vote, finishing behind both the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP).
The result significantly altered the province’s political landscape and ended the ANC’s previous outright majority.
Coalition Government Changes KZN Politics
Following the 2024 election outcome, the IFP became central to the formation of the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government.
A coalition was formed involving the IFP, ANC, Democratic Alliance (DA) and National Freedom Party (NFP), among other parties.
The changing political environment has made KwaZulu-Natal an important battleground as parties prepare for the upcoming municipal elections.
Nxumalo Challenges Smaller Political Parties
During the campaign, Nxumalo criticised smaller political parties for their attacks on the ANC.
He argued that political organisations without the ANC’s lengthy experience in government could not offer a fundamentally different approach to governing the country.
Nxumalo acknowledged that opposition parties have the right to criticise the ANC under South Africa’s constitutional protections for freedom of speech, but maintained that governing experience remained an important distinction.
ANC Points to Post-1994 Service Delivery
Nxumalo said the ANC’s record since taking power in 1994 demonstrated its experience in addressing the needs of South Africans.
He pointed to the construction of houses, clinics and hospitals, as well as the expansion of access to water and electricity, as examples of the party’s contribution to service delivery.
According to Nxumalo, the ANC’s history in government gives it an understanding of the challenges facing communities that other parties do not possess to the same extent.
Service Delivery Likely to Shape Local Elections
The ANC’s campaign comes as political parties increasingly focus on issues that directly affect residents at municipal level.
Water shortages, electricity supply, infrastructure, housing and the financial health of municipalities are expected to remain important issues during the election campaign.
These concerns have become particularly significant in KwaZulu-Natal, where voters will choose representatives responsible for delivering many essential local services.
KwaZulu-Natal Emerges as Key Election Battleground
The province is expected to attract significant attention during the 2026 local government elections because of the changing balance of political support.
The MK Party’s strong performance in KwaZulu-Natal in 2024, combined with the IFP’s established presence, has increased competition for voters who were traditionally associated with the ANC.
The ANC is therefore attempting to use its governing record as part of its argument for returning the party to a stronger position.
Campaigns Intensify Ahead of November Vote
Political parties are stepping up their activities ahead of the 4 November 2026 local government elections.
For the ANC, Nxumalo’s message forms part of a broader effort to remind voters of the party’s historical role in government while presenting it as an organisation capable of addressing current challenges.
The campaign in KwaZulu-Natal is likely to remain closely watched as the ANC seeks to regain support in a province where its political dominance has weakened considerably.
