ANC Deputy Secretary-General Nomvula Mokonyane said the party lost the election because voters were sceptical about the sudden increase in service delivery that occurred before the May 29 elections. This included job creation through programmes like the Nasi Ispani initiative, a sudden end to load shedding, and a consistent water supply in previously underserved areas.
According to Mokonyane, this led to voter suspicion and caused them to vote for other parties, questioning "why now."
“Delayed interventions have also been seen to be very suspicious by our voters. Nasi Ispani, transformer programme, voters are actually saying why now, why on the 11th hour,” she said.
Mokonyane and head of elections Mdumiseni Ntuli addressed the media on the outcomes of reflections of the 2024 National and Provincial Elections at Boksburg on Friday.
As a comeback strategy, she said they would continue with service delivery to ensure that people were familiar with their programme of action.
“It’s one of the lessons we learned, where there is a need to intervene, do it when it’s four years and nine months before the next elections.
“We need solutions that incorporate everybody and ensure that those interventions are sustained,” she said.
South Africans have long criticised the ANC for failing to deliver basic services and neglecting their concerns.
High unemployment, crime, gender-based violence (GBV), water shortages, power outages, poverty, housing issues, and lack of economic development were all factors contributing to the decline in ANC support. Mokonyane said the ANC’s plan is to address these concerns and meet the people’s demands. This will be under the Government of National Unity (GNU), which consists of ten political parties.
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