‘Time is Not on Our Side’: ANC Confronts Its Decline

Loading player...
At the ANC’s National General Council in Boksburg, secretary-general Fikile Mbalula struck an unusually candid tone, admitting the party’s electoral decline is long-running, beginning with the loss of key metros in 2016, worsening after the 2021 hung councils, and culminating in the ANC falling below 50% in 2024.Mbalula blamed a “well-funded” opposition effort under the Moonshot Pact for accelerating the slide, but acknowledged the party must urgently rebuild as it navigates the Government of National Unity. Phemelo unpacks the ANC’s crossroads with NEC member Dr Joe Maswanganyi and Cosatu spokesperson Matthew Parks.
9 Dec 2025 3PM English South Africa Education · Careers

Other recent episodes

ECD practitioners call for better municipal support for early learning centres

Early Childhood Development (ECD) practitioners are calling on municipalities to address the challenges affecting their centres, including unreliable water supply, unsafe infrastructure, delayed inspections and inadequate support. Following a series of ECD Imbizos across the country, practitioners have put forward five key demands and challenged political leaders to make public…
3 Nov 2PM 40 min

Local government elections: Voter do’s and don’ts

Phemelo is joined in studio by Rivonia Circle Director Tessa Dooms to continue unpacking what voters need to know about the 2026 local government elections. They look at important voting do’s and don’ts, including why voters should not photograph or share images of their marked ballots on social media, as…
3 Nov 2PM 34 min

Bronkhorstspruit water remains unsafe despite rehabilitation progress

The City of Tshwane says work to rehabilitate the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Works is progressing, with support from Rand Water, but the water remains unsafe for consumption. Mayor Nasiphi Moya says outstanding work, public health monitoring and water quality testing must be completed before a safe supply can be restored…
3 Nov 1PM 10 min

What voters need to know about South Africa’s 2026 local government elections

With South Africans heading to the polls, Phemelo speaks to Rivonia Circle Director Tessa Dooms about what voters need to know before casting their ballots. They unpack the role of local government, how the voting process works, the powers of councillors and how mayors are elected. The discussion also explores…
2 Nov 2PM 46 min

IEC reports over 780,000 special votes on first day

More than 780,000 South Africans cast their ballots on the first day of special voting ahead of Wednesday’s local government elections. The two-day process allows eligible voters who cannot reach polling stations on election day, including the elderly, people with disabilities and essential workers, to vote early. Kaya News reporter…
2 Nov 2PM 10 min