ANC Turns 114 Amid Electoral Decline and Calls for Renewal

A storied past meets a challenging present

On January 8, 2026, the African National Congress (ANC) marked its 114th anniversary, a milestone steeped in history yet overshadowed by political uncertainty. Founded in 1912 to unite South Africans against colonial oppression, the ANC famously led the fight against apartheid and has governed the country since 1994.

Today, the party celebrates its legacy while grappling with declining electoral support, internal divisions, governance challenges, and public frustration over issues like unemployment, corruption, and service delivery.

This year’s celebrations in Rustenburg, North West, have included door-to-door campaigns, community engagements, and a symbolic cake-cutting ceremony, culminating in a rally at Moruleng Stadium where President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to outline the party’s priorities for 2026.

Renewal at the forefront

For ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, this anniversary is about more than ceremony it’s about renewal.

“This is not just about celebrating 114 years,” Mbalula said. “It is about working with South Africans, creating jobs, and rebuilding trust.”

The emphasis on renewal comes as the ANC faces its most serious political challenge since 1994. In the 2024 general elections, the party lost its parliamentary majority for the first time and now governs through coalitions at national and provincial levels.

A call to accountability and service

Mbalula’s message to party members has been clear: leadership is a responsibility, not an entitlement. Speaking at a memorial event in Limpopo for struggle stalwart Peter Mokaba, he urged members to resist internal power struggles and careerism.

“We did not join the struggle for positions. If you are appointed as a mayor or premier, that is a privilege given by the ANC, not a birthright. You must serve the people,” he said.

The tone reflects a party conscious that its historical legitimacy alone cannot secure the future. Renewal, Mbalula insists, requires active engagement with citizens, especially in addressing South Africa’s socio-economic challenges.

Public sentiment and the road ahead

While ANC members celebrate, South Africans continue to express skepticism online and in communities, noting that coalition politics and corruption scandals have shaken confidence in the party. Some see the 114th anniversary as an opportunity for reflection, while others view it as a litmus test of the ANC’s ability to reconnect with voters.

Political analysts suggest that the party’s renewal campaign will be central to its survival. “This anniversary is not just a celebration,” one expert said. “It is a checkpoint: can the ANC reform internally, present competent governance, and restore voter confidence?”

As the ANC turns 114, the party finds itself at a crossroads. History, legacy, and symbolism are being weighed against political realities, public disillusionment, and electoral pressures. For the party that once stood as the unifying force of a nation, the question remains whether it can reinvent itself without losing its identity and whether South Africans are willing to renew their trust.

The coming months, starting with Ramaphosa’s rally in Rustenburg, will likely signal the direction of the ANC’s renewal efforts, and whether the party can move from legacy to relevance in the 21st century.

{Source: IOL}

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