LGE 2026: Ramaphosa upbeat ANC will perform better than expected
A confident Ramaphosa said the ANC will not only outperform in its traditional stronghold of the Eastern Cape, but also in the rest of the country.
Babalo Ndenze
ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa delivers the January 8 Statement at Moruleng Stadium, North West, on 10 January 2026. Picture: MYANC/ X
MYANC/ X
African National Congress (ANC) president Cyril Ramaphosa is upbeat that the party will perform better than expected, as millions of voters cast their ballots over the next three days.
A confident Ramaphosa said the ANC will not only outperform in its traditional stronghold of the Eastern Cape, but also in the rest of country.
Ramaphosa was on Sunday addressing the ANC’s final Siyanqoba rally in KuGompo in the Buffalo City Metro, a day before the first ballots are cast on Monday morning.
Ramaphosa told a packed Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane that the ANC has a track record of delivery, unlike most parties contesting the local government elections.
Millions of South Africans will cast their special ballots on Monday and Tuesday, before election day on Wednesday.
Ramaphosa said the ANC will continue to govern in key metros and in municipalities.
“We are here to show the strength of the ANC. We are here to celebrate that strength of the ANC and to show them the ANC is still the mighty ANC of the previous years.”
Provincial leader Oscar Mabuyane said the party will retain control in the Eastern Cape's second metro.
“We will deliver this metro, we will deliver the ANC in this province, all the volunteers are ready for that work. We have prepared them.”
The party said it must hold on to its stronghold to prevent a situation like KwaZulu-Natal, where the party has lost most of its traditional support.