ANC Secretary-General Mbalula Calls Election Results 'Catastrophic', Rejects Begging for Mayorships
African National Congress secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has described the party’s performance in the 2026 local government elections as a "catastrophic outcome," despite the ANC retaining its position as the national leader with just over 30 percent support. Mbalula emphasized that the party will not rush into coalition negotiations and rejected the notion of begging for political positions, stating the ANC is open to remaining in opposition or entering confidence-and-supply arrangements.