ANC manifesto summary

African National Congress · 2026 local government elections

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AI-written summary of the party’s own manifesto. Each point links to its page.

ANC summary on every topic

Housing and title deeds

Build sustainable and integrated human settlements by upgrading informal settlements, expanding serviced sites, and facilitating title deed transfers. p.22
Reclaim hijacked buildings and unlawfully occupied properties to restore them for affordable housing and community facilities. p.34
Support homeless residents by expanding access to shelters and social services while addressing unlawful occupation. p.34

Water and sanitation

Repair and upgrade ageing water and sanitation infrastructure, reduce water losses, eliminate sewer spillages, and expand access to safe drinking water and dignified sanitation. p.22
Invest at least 8% of the value of municipal assets in maintenance and renewal of water and sanitation infrastructure. p.21
Ensure that communal sanitation facilities are clean, safe, well-lit, accessible and properly maintained for all community members. p.23
Publish a Ward Delivery Schedule in the first 100 days, including the bulk water and sanitation programme and related projects. p.16
Strengthen environmental health services and address illegal dumping and sewer spills to protect public health. p.35

Electricity and energy

Deliver reliable, affordable electricity by upgrading municipal networks, expanding capacity, reducing outages, and improving fault response times. p.22
Increase monthly Free Basic Electricity for qualifying households and introduce a transparent municipal electricity bill. p.22
Invest at least 8% of municipal assets in maintaining and renewing electricity infrastructure. p.21
Strengthen municipal capacity for electricity self-generation and support renewable energy initiatives. p.40 p.54
Expand electrification using appropriate technologies and protect electricity infrastructure from theft and vandalism. p.22

Roads and public transport

Invest at least 8% of municipal assets in maintaining and renewing roads and essential infrastructure. p.21
Fix and maintain municipal roads, including repairing potholes and maintaining bridges and drainage systems. p.22
Plan transport linked to the Integrated Development Plan and upgrade taxi ranks with necessary facilities. p.23
Build climate-resilient infrastructure by incorporating climate risk into planning and investment for roads and services. p.23
Improve safety on roads and public transport through better maintenance, stronger traffic enforcement, and coordination with law enforcement. p.33

Waste and refuse collection

Strengthen environmental health services, refuse collection, waste management, and address illegal dumping and sewer spills. p.35
Ensure every municipality has reliable refuse collection and action against illegal dumping. p.36
Conduct a section 78 review of outsourced core services, starting with waste collection, within the first two years of the term. p.59

Safety and policing

Convene a Community Safety Forum within a hundred days, chaired by the mayor, to address crime hotspots with various stakeholders. p.14
Strengthen municipal law enforcement and improve coordination with SAPS to prevent crime and maintain public order. p.33
Protect communities and infrastructure from organised crime by enhancing municipal security and disrupting criminal networks. p.33
Strengthen Community Safety Forums to coordinate local safety plans and address crime challenges. p.33
Tackle substance abuse by enforcing by-laws against illegal liquor outlets and collaborating with various sectors to address drug-related crime. p.34

Jobs and the local economy

Every municipality will ramp up its Local Economic Development to identify projects and barriers to unlock jobs and investment, paying suppliers within thirty days. p.13
Create conditions for businesses to expand and reinvest, supporting job creation and local enterprise development through incentives and partnerships. p.27
Unlock economic potential by investing in infrastructure across various sectors, using grants and partnerships to attract investment and create jobs. p.28
Set clear local economic priorities and targets through Local Economic Development Plans, revitalising business districts and improving public spaces. p.28
Expand the Expanded Public Works Programme and Community Work Programme to create one million work, training, and enterprise opportunities. p.29 p.60

Rates, tariffs and municipal finance

Eliminate unfunded budgets within the first two years, strengthen financial planning, and improve audit outcomes across municipalities. p.39
Complete the review of the local government funding model to restore financial health and ensure accountability translates into better services. p.39
Protect municipal revenue by reinvesting from trading services, reducing reliance on above-inflation tariff increases, and maintaining equitable cross-subsidisation for vulnerable households. p.40
Introduce accurate billing systems, expand smart metering, and audit billing and revenue systems within the first year to strengthen collection. p.40
Empower Municipal Public Accounts Committees to strengthen oversight and require municipalities to act on Auditor-General findings within 12 months. p.46

Corruption, governance and accountability

Commit to zero tolerance for corruption by applying the ANC Step Aside Rule and conducting lifestyle audits for mayors and senior managers. p.45
Require municipalities to act on Auditor-General findings within 12 months and recover public funds lost through corruption. p.46
Ensure municipal appointments are based on competence and integrity, with stronger oversight and consequence management. p.45
Investigate allegations of corruption promptly and take disciplinary action, recovering lost public funds and reporting on outcomes. p.46
Make municipal plans and budgets publicly accessible to enhance community participation and accountability. p.50

Informal settlements and land

Build sustainable and integrated human settlements by upgrading informal settlements and expanding serviced sites. p.22
Strengthen land-use planning and building control to support new developments. p.22
Provide municipal services to new developments and facilitate title deed transfers. p.22
Support affordable and social housing in partnership with other entities. p.22
Address flooding and waterlogging through improved infrastructure planning for climate risks. p.22

Support for indigent households

Every household receiving certain grants is automatically deemed indigent and enrolled for free basic services, with the register updated regularly. p.14 p.31 p.34
Access to Free Basic Services will be protected and expanded for qualifying households, with improved registration and payment arrangements for those in financial difficulty. p.23 p.34
An updated indigent register will ensure vulnerable households are identified and connected to government relief services. p.36
Every older persons and disability grant recipient will be automatically entered on the Indigent register, receiving full rebates. p.56
Indigent enrolment for grant-receiving households will be prioritised, with services delivered within the first hundred days. p.62

By-law and municipal law enforcement

Strengthen municipal law enforcement and improve by-law and traffic enforcement, with visibility and coordination with SAPS. p.33
Enforce by-laws against illegal mining, securing municipal property and addressing environmental and public health risks. p.33
Enforce by-laws against unlawful liquor outlets and public nuisances to tackle substance abuse and drug-related harm. p.34
Strengthen municipal by-law, traffic and law enforcement response in every municipality, with public reporting on enforcement activities. p.36
Link enterprises to government programmes, enforce trading and licensing by-laws, and protect workers from exploitation. p.28

Youth, sport, arts and libraries

Every municipal sports facility, community hall, and library will be opened, lit, accessible, programmed, and connected. p.56

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