Media Statements

The African National Congress (ANC) closes the year of the 70th Anniversary of the Freedom Charter with renewed confidence in the democratic state and its resilience in serving the people of South Africa. The year marked a period of consolidation, decisive leadership and renewal in action, reaffirming the ANC’s historic mission to serve the people. As we approach 2026, we are encouraged by measurable progress, grounded in lessons learnt, and clear about the work that still lies ahead.

The priorities outlined in the January 8 Statement of 2025 guided the work of the ANC throughout the year. These pillars focused on improving basic services and infrastructure, reconstructing the economy to create jobs, strengthening the fight against crime and corruption, renewing the ANC and the democratic state, and advancing South Africa’s role in building a better Africa and a better world. The progress recorded in 2025 reflects deliberate action on these commitments and serves as the basis for this year-end message to the people.

Central to our work in 2025 was the deliberate strengthening of state capacity to deliver services and restore public confidence. The intensified implementation of the Energy Action Plan led to the stabilisation of Eskom, the end of load shedding and the restoration of consistent electricity supply to households and businesses. By December 2025, South Africa had experienced over 200 consecutive days of uninterrupted power supply, confirming the sustainability of these interventions. This stabilisation translated into a 7.2% quarter-on-quarter increase in manufacturing output in the third quarter of 2025, demonstrating the direct relationship between energy security and economic production.

This intervention was not accidental. It was the product of political leadership, coordinated planning and disciplined execution. Through Operation Vulindlela Phase II, further reforms will introduce a competitive energy market, ensuring affordability through lower energy costs, sustainability and the consolidation of gains achieved for the long term.

Water security was elevated as a national priority, with active interventions in Operation Vulindlela advancing the establishment of the National Water Resources infrastructure Agency, including the introduction of the Water Services Amendment Bill. Priority has been given to ensuring water supply, maintaining infrastructure, and constructing dams. These interventions included ongoing housing delivery, with an emphasis on spatial planning, informal settlement upgrading, and strengthening municipal capacity.

These measures, together with the protection and expansion of the social wage, including social grants, healthcare, education, the living wage and targeted cost-of-living relief, reflect an ANC-led government focused on improving the material conditions of the people.

Local Government and By-Elections
Local government remains a critical site of delivery. The ANC Roll Call of councillors, which introduced the Local Government Action Plan in September 2025, was a decisive intervention that changed the face of local government, restored accountability and reaffirmed our priority of connecting and investing in people. As part of the interventions made, 73% of municipalities now have approved recovery plans, strengthening governance and service delivery at the local level. Given its proximity to communities, local government remains a strategic vehicle for delivering basic services, creating jobs and restoring trust between the movement and the people.

Despite intense political contestation and sustained media reporting, the ANC performed well in by-elections, retained and reclaimed key wards and consolidated support with turnout improving. Our electoral performance reflects the will of the people and their continued trust in the movement, despite false narratives aimed at disconnecting it from the people. The message from the people is clear: the ANC remains their movement, but it must govern better, act decisively, put people first, and ensure that those who do not perform face consequences. Delivery must matter more than promises, deployees must be accountable, and communities must feel the presence of the ANC daily.

Economic Growth
Economic growth remained a central priority in 2025, and the ANC adopted the 10-Point Economic Action Plan, recognising it as the decisive instrument in the fight against unemployment, poverty and inequality. In the third quarter of 2025, GDP grew by 0.5%, confirming that the economy is expanding and that productive capacity is strengthening.

The ANC-led government made measurable gains in addressing the structural constraints that had undermined growth and investor confidence. The stabilisation of electricity supply, together with focused interventions to strengthen network industries, including transport and logistics, energy and telecommunications, began to unlock economic activity. Improvements in logistics, including a 14% reduction in port dwell times at Durban, supported trade and industrial output and played a critical role in expanding participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area, with exports exceeding R820 million.

The turnaround of state-owned enterprises demonstrated the impact of improved governance. In 2025, Eskom returned to profitability after 8 years, reporting a profit of R23.9 billion before tax, compared to a R55 billion loss the previous year. Transnet reduced its operating losses by 68% year-on-year, while SOEs reduced their reliance on government guarantees by 22%. These gains contributed to greater economic stability, investor confidence and currency resilience.

Critically, South Africa exited the Financial Action Task Force Grey List, a macroeconomic intervention of strategic importance. This strengthened the integrity of the financial system, reduced de-risking, supported currency stability and reinforced South Africa’s credibility in global capital markets. Reflecting this improved confidence, South Africa positively received its first sovereign credit rating upgrade in over 20 years when Standard & Poor’s raised both its foreign- and local-currency ratings.

These economic interventions were reinforced by easing inflationary pressures, which provided relief to households and workers, while infrastructure investment efforts were accelerated to support long-term growth and industrialisation. Together, these measures stabilised the economy while protecting the most vulnerable and supporting inclusive growth.Tax administration improvements further strengthened the fiscus, with SARS collecting over R920 billion by the end of September 2025, reflecting a year-on-year increase of R78.6 billion. Tourism rebounded strongly, with foreign arrivals increasing by 18% compared to 2024.

Despite these gains, youth unemployment remains the most serious challenge confronting our democracy. In 2025, 855,000 work opportunities were created, reducing the stubborn unemployment to 31.9%. There are signs of economic recovery, signalling a golden dawn ahead and that the fight against unemployment continues. Youth Employment Service surpassed 200,000 young people placed into quality first-time job experiences. Furthermore, the Spaza Shop Support Fund was introduced to uplift township and rural enterprises, providing up to R100,000 in blended financial and non-financial support to strengthen local economic participation.

Fight against Crime and Corruption
The fight against corruption continues, demonstrating the battle is not rhetoric but tangible outcomes. The strengthening of the National Prosecuting Authority and the Special Investigating Unit has resulted in concrete progress on State Capture cases, prosecutions and recoveries. In 2025 alone, the SIU recovered R3.1 billion in public funds. The Integrated Task Force continues to implement recommendations from the State Capture Commission, with over 218 criminal investigation recommendations under active implementation.

The establishment of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, commonly known as the Madlanga Commission, represents a decisive step toward strengthening oversight and restoring integrity within the criminal justice system. This intervention affirms the ANC’s commitment to confront wrongdoing and institutional failure directly.

The establishment of the Parliamentary Ad-Hoc Committee to investigate allegations within the criminal justice system further reinforced democratic oversight and accountability. Together, these mechanisms send a clear message that no individual is above the law and that the criminal justice system must serve the people without fear, favour or political interference. These interventions are aimed at ensuring an effective, efficient and credible criminal justice system, and at restoring public confidence in the rule of law.

Fight against GBV-F
The government, led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, declared gender-based violence and femicide a national crisis, prioritising the safety of women and children. Violations against women and children often increase during holidays, influenced by factors such as alcohol. The ANC calls on everyone across all sectors and law enforcement to cooperate in addressing this issue.

As the festive season draws to a close, the ANC calls on all South Africans to act responsibly during their celebration of the year-end and the ushering in of a new year. We urge zero tolerance against drinking and driving, strict enforcement of alcohol regulations, protection of young people from alcohol and substance abuse, adherence to firework safety regulations and care for animals during celebrations.

South Africa and the World
We remained firm in our stance, supporting oppressed people across the world in Palestine, Western Sahara, Cuba and Venezuela. We will not stand silent against imperialist aggression and the disregard of sovereignty, international rules and the furtherance of a unipolar world. The freedom of South Africa was won through the support of many nations across the continent and the world, and it is through these fraternal relations that the liberation movements of our country and continent led the people on the quest for freedom and culminated in our democratic dispensation.South Africa continued to assert its sovereignty and leadership during the G20 Summit, which brought together world leaders, civil society, and business to explore solutions for trade, investment, economic cooperation, progressive internationalism, and inclusive multilateralism. Under the South African sun, the world recommitted itself to shared prosperity, with a better Africa for a better world, a vision that remains our guiding principle.

ANC 114th Anniversary – January 8 Statement
As the year draws to a close, the ANC is preparing for its 114th Anniversary at Moruleng Stadium in Rustenburg, North West Province, on Saturday, 10 January 2026. At this event, President Cyril Ramaphosa will present the January 8 Statement, outlining priorities such as service delivery, economic growth, job creation, organisational discipline, and preparations for the 2026 local government elections.

This year, we mourned the loss of family, loved ones, senior leaders, and dedicated members of our movement who passed away in 2025. Their contributions are lasting, and we offer sincere condolences to all affected families and comrades during this difficult time.

The ANC wishes you all a happy New Year and a prosperous year ahead and reminds you that South Africa belongs to all those who live in it, united in diversity.

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