Tshwane
The ANC’s newly elected regional leadership in Tshwane faces a daunting task to reclaim control of the capital after years in opposition. Party leaders say unity, discipline and rebuilding trust at grassroots level will be critical as the movement prepares for the 2026 local government elections.
The African National Congress’s newly elected leadership in the Greater Tshwane region has acknowledged the scale of the challenge it faces in its bid to regain control of the City of Tshwane after nearly a decade out of power.
Addressing delegates following the ANC’s regional conference, senior party officials said the road back to governance would require rebuilding organisational strength, restoring public confidence and ending internal divisions that have weakened the movement at local level.
ANC national secretary Fikile Mbalula told delegates that the party could no longer afford factionalism if it hoped to reconnect with communities across the metro. He said the new leadership had been entrusted with the responsibility of uniting branches and ensuring discipline as the party positions itself ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
The conference elected Eugene “Bonzo” Modise as regional chairperson. Modise, who also serves as Tshwane deputy mayor, will lead a leadership collective tasked with reviving the ANC’s presence in a city it lost in 2016. His election comes amid political contestation, with opposition parties raising concerns over governance and accountability in the metro.
Other regional leadership positions were filled during the conference, with party leaders emphasising the need for stability and continuity. Attempts to disrupt the gathering through legal action were unsuccessful, allowing the conference to proceed and conclude its business.
The ANC leadership said communities in Tshwane remain frustrated by service delivery failures, infrastructure decay and instability caused by coalition politics. Rebuilding trust, they said, will depend on visible engagement on the ground and clear responses to residents’ concerns.
Political analysts say the ANC’s prospects in Tshwane will hinge on whether the new leadership can demonstrate unity and credible local leadership. As the battle for control of South Africa’s metros intensifies, Tshwane is expected to be a key test of the ANC’s ability to recover lost ground.
