By Thapelo Molefe
The ANC on Saturday opened its first National Executive Committee (NEC) Lekgotla of 2026 in a high-stakes test of its ability to deliver ahead of this year’s local government elections, amid a deepening credibility crisis and widespread municipal failures.
The party has declared the upcoming election year “the decisive year to fix local government” and restore public confidence in service delivery where it governs.
The three-day meeting is tasked with translating President Cyril Ramaphosa’s January 8 Statement into concrete programmes with measurable outcomes, with a strong emphasis on implementation, accountability and visible service delivery.
Former ANC leaders Kgalema Motlanthe and Thabo Mbeki attended the opening session, underscoring the political weight of the gathering.
Opening the Lekgotla, Ramaphosa warned that the ANC risked losing relevance if it failed to close the gap between policy and delivery.
Citing the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC), he said South Africa’s most
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