‘Jesus has come, finally’: Reactions to ANC’s drop in municipal elections

While the ANC has managed to retain pole position in this year’s local government elections, the significant decline in support for the party is no doubt noteworthy. With more than 90% of the votes counted, the ANC is under 50% across the country at 46.1%. The drop in support for the country’s oldest liberation movement means its back to the drawing board at Luthuli House, but some South Africans have welcomed the news with glee! Social media, particularly Twitter, has been awash with reactions to the party’s performance at the polls – here are some of them.

You lot who defended ANC corruption for years – supporters, politicians, some government spokespeople – ALWAYS dismissing the rot & insulting those who expose it;calling them names; how did you think it would end? Jesus has come, finally. We told you: this is OUR country too.

— Redi Tlhabi (@RediTlhabi) November 2, 2021

Woza 2024 I can't wait to see corrupt ANC finished

— Majozi (@Majozi26754069) November 4, 2021

Hello ANC. service delivery is not those yellow t-shirt. Free education is still a real issue. Dear ANC. Youth unemployment is still an issue. Dear Khongolose. Nathi Sihlakaniphile. Dear ANC. Loadshedding kuseyinkinga. Dear ANC. Kunjani Uma kunje?kusazoba worse …

— lucky Sizani aka Mampintsha (@LuckySizani32) November 3, 2021

The drop in numbers for ANC support is a serious concern to me. Now they won't steal our money they would take it and chow it openly just to secure the bag before the ship sinks in 2024

— Lindamax (@Lindama18162148) November 2, 2021

ANC: ‘WE’RE NOT DESPERATE’

While ANC deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte acknowledges that the party’s performance at the local polls needed to be addressed, she says they remain the winners and will not be pushed into forming coalitions “from a position of weakness.”

“We are not a loser in this election, we are leading in many wards. We are not negotiating from a position of weakness. There are a number of smaller parties we will consider,” Duarte said.

As of Wednesday evening 3 October 2021, there were 52 hung municipalities in the country and the ANC leads in most of them, which means coalition talks need to get underway sooner rather than later.

However, ANC treasurer-general Paul Mashatile has admitted that entering into coalitions can be rather messy, especially if the different political parties fail to reach common ground from the beginning.

“Coalitions are messy if you start on the wrong footing, that’s why we are carefully considering how we are going to go into it. First, when we go into government we want to deliver services to our people, therefore we must choose to work with those who will be helping us to pursue that agenda. If we approach it that way it won’t be messy because it’s not a marriage of convenience, we agree on a programme, we pursue that programme together.”

ANC treasurer-general Paul Mashatile