By: Nkosinathi Dube

Two decades of Africa’s youngest democracy and the people of South Africa are yet to feel fully liberated and reap the benefits of freedom.

As the political scene heats up and with drama at any given time at the national assembly, it is proof that opposition parties are changing the country’s political landscape. The African

National Congress (ANC), which is the ruling party, has come under heavy criticism in recent years and with local government elections coming up, party fractions and infighting have
been the order of the day in local spheres of KwaZulu-Natal, where the party has majority supporters.

The party has had a dark cloud of corruption and poor service delivery hanging over their heads and are unlikely to gain territory in white minority areas.

Luyanda Hlatshwayo (28), an ANC branch executive committee member at Preva Khumalo, said that the infighting within the party causes divisions even at the branch level, and cadres
don’t even stand united towards campaigning.

“As much as the DA is infiltrating all the metropolitan municipalities, the ANC still gains support from the majority citizens of this country, who still believe that only the ANC can
resolve their problems,” said Hlatshwayo.

The ANC’s woes in the province have sawed divisions in such a way that the party’s national executive members from Luthuli House, have had to intervene on numerous occasions. Most

recently was the postponed conference of their biggest region EThekwini, where there is a leadership tug of war.

Another staunch supporter of the ruling party and member of the Youth Communist League (YCL), from Ilembe region, Siyabonga Mhlongo said that the party is not losing its grip, but
that doesn’t mean that there are no challenges from within and outside the movement.

“As soon as the 2016 local election campaigns kicks in, the ANC will steadily consolidate its support from the masses in particular those people who are not even the members of the
party.

However people think instances like Nkandla and Marikana will have an impact on their campaign. Personally, I think that what the party did at the national elections history
will repeat itself,” said Mhlongo.

“With the strong support from its alliance members, the SACP, COSATU, and SANCO the party will strengthen its grip and bring back the confidence from the majority of their voters,
more especially in KwaZulu-Natal,” added Mhlongo.

From a political point of view, political and communications strategist at Think Tank Marketing, said that the local governance is the sphere of government which is closer to the
people and is the most important in bringing basic needs and infrastructure to the public.

“The ANC campaign should be reflective of this reality, but instead such is not always the case as you will find that cadre’s objectives are to gain access to Municipal resources and
cling on to power. Ends of service delivery, protests phenomenon and the drop of votes will continue,” said Thabani Khumalo