Media Statement

The African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC) Lekgotla has successfully

concluded its deliberations, held from 24th to 26th January 2026. The NEC Lekgotla was convened to reflect

on the political, economic, and social conditions confronting the country, assess progress in implementing

policies and resolutions aimed at improving the lives of South Africans, and adopt a focused, action-

oriented Programme of Action for the year ahead.

The NEC Lekgotla took place in the context of the January 8 Statement marking the 114th anniversary of

the ANC, which declared 2026 as The Year of Decisive Action to Fix Local Government and Transform the

Economy. This declaration reflects the movement’s sober assessment that the credibility of democratic

governance, social cohesion and economic recovery will ultimately be judged by improvements in the daily

lived realities and experiences of the people of South Africa.

The NEC Lekgotla formally adopted its outcomes as a binding strategic framework guiding the work of the

ANC, its structures, Alliance partners and deployed cadres across all spheres of government. The Lekgotla

resolved that 2026 will mark a decisive shift from planning to execution, from fragmented interventions

to coordinated delivery, and from incremental change to visible, sustained impact in communities.

The Lekgotla reaffirmed that this moment requires leadership that is decisive, disciplined and people

centred. The ANC recommits itself to governing with humility, accountability and urgency, fully conscious

of the expectations and hopes of South Africans.

POLITICAL AND STRATEGIC ORIENTATION

The NEC Lekgotla reaffirmed the ANC’s historic responsibility as the leading force for social and economic

transformation and the strategic centre of governance. The Lekgotla noted that South Africa remains

anchored by a progressive Constitution, resilient democratic institutions and a comprehensive policy

framework to advance inclusive development and a better life for all.The Lekgotla reaffirmed that the central challenge of the current phase is not policy absence, but uneven

execution, coordination gaps and variable institutional capacity. Addressing the Lekgotla, the ANC

President emphasised that development outcomes depend on disciplined implementation, effective

leadership and accountability at all levels of the state.

The NEC Lekgotla therefore resolved to strengthen intergovernmental coordination, align planning and

budgeting across spheres, and speed up the professionalisation of the public service to ensure policy

intent is translated into concrete results. The ANC will intensify oversight over governance performance

while supporting capacity-building interventions where required.

The Lekgotla further reaffirmed the importance of strengthening the Alliance and partnerships with

labour, business, civil society, traditional leaders and progressive formations, recognising that sustainable

development requires collective effort and shared responsibility.

FIXING LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND IMPROVING BASIC SERVICES

The NEC Lekgotla reaffirmed that local government is the frontline of democratic governance and the

primary site where the state is experienced by communities. Water provision, electricity supply, road

maintenance, sanitation, refuse removal, human settlements and local economic development are central

to restoring public confidence and dignity.

In declaring 2026 the Year of Decisive Action to Fix Local Government, the NEC Lekgotla the NEC affirmed

the implementation of the Local Government Action Plan (LGAP), adopted at the Councillor Roll-call in

September last year. Key to the plan is a comprehensive Service Delivery Acceleration Framework

anchored in the District Development Model (DDM). This framework aligns national, provincial and local

planning and budgeting through a “One District, One Plan” approach, ensuring coordinated

implementation and accountability.

Since the Councillor Roll-call, service delivery war rooms are being restructured, consolidated and

strengthened on the back lessons learned previously, from local, district/metro, provincial and national

levels, to follow-up on all service delivery issues. The ANC at national level will also soon launch a toll-free

service delivery hotline. The Lekgotla further resolved to deploy rapid-response technical teams to priority

municipalities, and institute weekly monitoring of delivery performance. Priority workstreams include

water reticulation, road rehabilitation, energy network stability, clean towns and cities, human

settlements delivery, climate-resilient infrastructure and local job creation.

The NEC Lekgotla further resolved to professionalise the interface between municipal political leadership

and administrative leadership, strengthen financial management and billing systems, eliminate unfunded

budgets, fill funded vacancies with skilled personnel, and enforce consequence management for

maladministration and corruption. Through these measures, the ANC is committed to restoring

functionality, credibility and a developmental orientation in local government.ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION, INDUSTRIALISATION AND JOB CREATION

The NEC Lekgotla reaffirmed that economic transformation, industrialisation and job creation are central

to restoring dignity, opportunity and shared prosperity. While macro-economic stabilisation has laid an

important foundation, the decisive task of the current phase is to translate stability into inclusive growth

that expands productive capacity and creates jobs.

The Lekgotla welcomed tangible progress in energy reform, particularly the implementation of the Energy

Action Plan, which has resulted in sustained periods without load-shedding, increased generation capacity

and accelerated grid investment. These developments have removed a major constraint on economic

activity and investment.

The NEC Lekgotla noted that government has committed over R1 trillion in public infrastructure

investment over the current Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, focusing on water infrastructure,

roads, freight rail, ports and energy transmission. Through the Infrastructure Fund, blended-finance

projects exceeding R100 billion have been approved, crowding in private investment and accelerating

delivery.

Industrialisation and localisation remain the backbone of inclusive growth. Sectoral masterplans across

automotive, steel, agro-processing, clothing and textiles, energy-intensive industries and critical minerals

are being consolidated to improve coordination and accountability. Government procurement is being

leveraged to support local manufacturing, supplier development, beneficiation and township-based

production.

JOBS, SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND THE SOCIAL WAGE

The NEC Lekgotla reaffirmed that unemployment, particularly youth unemployment, remains the most

urgent socio-economic challenge confronting South Africa. The Lekgotla expressed deep concern that

youth unemployment remains structurally high, reflecting historical underdevelopment and limited

economic diversification.

The Lekgotla resolved that job creation interventions must be immediate, targeted and spatially

responsive. Public employment programmes, including the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP),

the Community Works Programme (CWP), and the Presidential Employment Scheme (PES) will be better

coordinated to provide income support, skills development and pathways into sustainable employment.

Skills development was reaffirmed as a strategic lever for long-term employment creation. The NEC

Lekgotla resolved to intensify investment in technical and vocational education, artisan development,

digital skills and sector-specific training aligned to industrialisation priorities, with strengthened

partnerships between TVET colleges, universities, SETAs and industry.

The Lekgotla further reaffirmed the importance of the social wage in supporting households while focus

structural reforms and industrial strategies take effect. Continued investment in education, healthcare,housing, transport subsidies, food security and social protection remains central to reducing inequality

and strengthening household resilience.

SAFETY, JUSTICE AND THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME AND CORRUPTION

The NEC Lekgotla reaffirmed that safety, justice and the fight against crime and corruption are essential

foundations for social stability, economic growth and democratic legitimacy. Communities cannot thrive

where criminality undermines trust, investment and social cohesion.

The Lekgotla welcomed the unwavering commitment of President Cyril Ramaphosa to the fight against

corruption. The work of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), Asset Forfeiture Unit and law-enforcement

agencies has resulted in billions of rands recovered or preserved from the proceeds of crime, including

investigations and convictions on stage capture cases demonstrating that focused political leadership and

institutional coordination yield results.

The NEC Lekgotla resolved to accelerate consequence management, ensuring that investigations lead to

prosecutions, asset recovery and institutional reform. Coordination across investigative, prosecutorial and

adjudicative institutions will be strengthened to improve turnaround times and outcomes.

The Lekgotla further resolved to intensify the crackdown on illegal mining operations, including zama-

zamas, whose activities terrorise communities, destroy infrastructure, undermine the rule of law and

endanger lives. A coordinated, intelligence-led response involving law enforcement, border management

and mining regulators will be intensified.

GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AND FEMICIDE (GBVF): A NATIONAL EMERGENCY

The NEC Lekgotla reaffirmed that gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) constitute a national

emergency that violates the dignity, safety and fundamental rights of women, children and vulnerable

persons, and undermines the moral fabric of society.

The Lekgotla welcomed progress in implementing the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence

and Femicide, including the expansion of specialised sexual offences courts, strengthened survivor-

centred services, victim-friendly policing and improved inter-sectoral coordination.

The NEC Lekgotla resolved that 2026 must mark a decisive escalation in the national response to GBVF.

This includes intensifying prevention programmes, strengthening investigation and prosecution, reducing

case withdrawals, expanding shelters and psychosocial support, and ensuring swift consequences for

perpetrators.

The Lekgotla reaffirmed that ending GBVF requires a whole-of-society approach and response, engaging

men and boys, traditional leaders, faith-based organisations, schools, workplaces and communities. The

ANC commits to sustained political leadership until women and children are safe in all spaces.BORDER MANAGEMENT, IMMIGRATION AND IDENTITY INTEGRITY

The NEC Lekgotla reaffirmed that effective, humane and orderly border management is a core

responsibility of the democratic state and a critical pillar of national security, social cohesion and economic

stability. South Africa’s constitutional values, geographic position and economic profile require a migration

system that is principled, well-regulated and firmly rooted in the rule of law, capable of managing

migration flows while protecting the integrity of the state and the dignity of all people.

The NEC Lekgotla welcomed the ANC’s leadership in initiating the White Paper on International Migration

for South Africa, which provides a comprehensive framework to modernise South Africa’s immigration

system and address long-standing weaknesses that have undermined public confidence. The Lekgotla

resolved that the White Paper must be urgently finalised and processed into legislation to become an Act

of Parliament, providing clear legal authority for implementation, enforcement and accountability across

the state.

The Lekgotla resolved that strengthening border management capacity is non-negotiable. This includes

the full capacitation and operationalisation of the Border Management Authority, enhanced coordination

among security and law-enforcement agencies, modernisation of ports of entry, and the deployment of

appropriate technology to secure land, sea and air borders. These measures are essential to combat

transnational crime, human trafficking, smuggling and the abuse of immigration systems.

The NEC Lekgotla reaffirmed that South Africa’s commitment to Pan-Africanism and African unity must be

balanced with the sovereign duty to regulate migration in a manner that is lawful, orderly and fair. African

unity does not imply the erosion of borders or tolerance of illegality. Migration must be managed in a way

that upholds human dignity while safeguarding national institutions, public services, labour standards and

social cohesion.

NATIONAL DIALOGUE, SOCIAL COHESION AND 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADOPTION OF THE

CONSTITUTION

The NEC Lekgotla reaffirmed the National Dialogue as a citizen-led platform to rebuild trust, foster unity

and confront shared national challenges. The Dialogue will be inclusive, transparent and action-oriented.

ANC structures at all levels will mobilise communities through branch dialogues, ward-based engagements

and sectoral forums to ensure broad participation. The Lekgotla resolved that the 30th Anniversary of the

Constitution must be used to deepen civic education and reaffirm constitutional values. National unity is

understood as a shared responsibility, respect for diversity and commitment to social justice.

As part of the commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of the Constitution, the African National Congress

will intensify mass organising and mobilisation to defend South Africa as a sovereign constitutional

democracy. Our Constitution is a product of struggle and popular will, and no foreign state or external

interest has the right to undermine or infringe upon the sovereignty of the South African people.In this regard, the ANC, together with its Alliance partners and progressive forces from civil society, labour,

business and community formations, will lead a mass national march on Saturday, 21 March 2026, with

thousands converging from Beyers Naudé Park, adjacent to Luthuli House, to Constitutional Hill in

Braamfontein.

This mobilisation will be coordinated nationally, with ANC structures in Gauteng and neighbouring

provinces forming the nucleus of the march in Gauteng. The ANC will further organise simultaneous

marches across the country to ensure a unified and unmistakable national message. The movement will

reaffirm through this mass action that popular participation is the foundation of constitutional democracy

and assert that South Africa’s sovereignty belongs to its people and will be defended through their

organised and conscious action.

ORGANISATIONAL RENEWAL AND MOVEMENT BUILDING

The NEC Lekgotla reaffirmed that organisational renewal is an existential task central to the African

National Congress’ continued relevance as a liberation movement and governing party. Renewal is not a

periodic exercise, but a continuous process that must be visible in leadership conduct, deployment

practices, internal culture and the quality of service rendered to communities. The Lekgotla reaffirmed

that the credibility of the movement depends on its ability to live its values in practice, lead by example

and earn public trust through visionary, servant, capable ethical and effective leadership.

The Lekgotla resolved to intensify the implementation of the Renewal Charter as the central framework

guiding organisational rebuilding. This includes strengthening ethical leadership, enforcing discipline

without fear or favour, and applying consistent consequence management for misconduct,

underperformance and behaviour that undermines the integrity of the movement. The NEC Lekgotla

reaffirmed that renewal requires firm, principled leadership that places the interests of the people and

the organisation above personal or factional considerations.

The NEC Lekgotla further reaffirmed the importance of political education as a cornerstone of renewal.

Political education through the Foundation Course and the OR Tambo School of Leadership will be

compulsory and continuous for all members and leaders, ensuring that cadres are grounded in the history,

values and ideology of the ANC, as well as the practical competencies required for governance in a

modern, developmental state. Political education is essential to building disciplined, capable and ethical

leadership at all levels.

The Lekgotla emphasised the need to strengthen systems of monitoring, evaluation and accountability

across all structures of the movement. Performance must be measured, excellence recognised and

rewarded, and non-performance addressed decisively. Deployment practices must prioritise competence,

integrity and commitment to service, ensuring that those entrusted with responsibility can deliver on the

mandate of the organisation and the expectations of the people.

The NEC Lekgotla reaffirmed the ANC’s mass character and its historic role as a movement rooted in the

daily struggles and aspirations of the people. Renewal must therefore be reflected in consistent presence

in communities, meaningful engagement, listening to the concerns of the people and acting decisively toaddress them. A renewed ANC must be humble, accessible and responsive — a movement that reconnects

with communities not only during elections, but as a permanent and trusted partner in social

transformation.

INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY AND SOUTH AFRICA IN THE WORLD

The NEC Lekgotla reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to progressive internationalism, Pan-Africanism

and principled multilateralism in a rapidly changing and increasingly contested global environment. The

Lekgotla noted that the erosion of multilateral institutions, the rise of unilateralism and the persistence of

global inequality pose serious challenges to peace, development and sovereignty, particularly for

developing countries. In this context, South Africa’s foreign policy remains firmly anchored in the values

of justice, equality, solidarity, peaceful resolution of conflict and respect for international law.

The NEC Lekgotla reaffirmed that Africa remains the primary pillar of South Africa’s international

engagement. South Africa will continue to strengthen African unity and regional integration through active

participation in continental and regional structures, prioritising political stability, peacebuilding, economic

integration, infrastructure connectivity and industrial development, as envisaged in the African Union’s

Agenda 2063. African-led solutions to African challenges remain central, and South Africa will continue to

support initiatives that advance shared growth, collective security and sustainable development across

the continent.

At the global level, the NEC Lekgotla reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to constructive engagement

in multilateral platforms to advance development cooperation, reform global governance institutions and

defend the centrality of international law. South Africa will continue to work with like-minded countries

of the Global South to promote a more equitable international economic order, fair trade, development

financing, solidarity, peace and inclusive global decision-making. Multilateralism remains essential to

addressing global challenges such as climate change, conflict, poverty and inequality.

The NEC Lekgotla reaffirmed that South Africa will conduct its international relations with clarity,

independence and confidence. Our country will neither be bullied nor be reckless, but will act in a

principled, sovereign and responsible manner, guided by national interests and constitutional values.

International relations are not an abstract exercise, but a practical instrument to support domestic

development, economic transformation, peaceful coexistence and improved living conditions for the

people of South Africa, while contributing to a more just and peaceful world.

ON ALLEGATIONS OF IRREGULAR HANDLING OF ANC INTERNAL ELECTORAL MATERIAL

Further to the statement previously issued regarding allegations of irregular handling of ANC internal

electoral material, the ANC confirms that the matter remains under active investigation. Following a tip-

off, an internal process initiated by the Office of the Secretary General established prima facie evidence of

misconduct, which led to ANC security reporting the matter to the South African Police Service.

Members of the ANC Electoral Committee, the National Executive Committee, and the Gauteng Provincial

Task Team were informed of and present during the related visit.The ANC continues to regard this matter as extremely serious, as any confirmed wrongdoing would

undermine the credibility and integrity of the organisation’s internal electoral processes.

Investigations and related processes are still underway, and the outcomes will be formally communicated

upon their conclusion. In the interim, ANC members are urged to maintain discipline, refrain from public

commentary, and allow the duly elected leadership of the ANC Greater Johannesburg Region to continue

discharging its responsibilities in accordance with the ANC Constitution.

CONCLUSION

The NEC Lekgotla reaffirmed that the true measure of its outcomes will be reflected in tangible

improvements in the quality of life of our people. All ANC structures and deployed cadres are called upon

to implement the adopted Programme of Action with discipline, unity and urgency.

The NEC Lekgotla extended its deepest condolences to the families and communities affected by the tragic

scholar transport accident in Vanderbijlpark, which claimed the lives of 14 (fourteen) learners. The

Lekgotla calls on all road users and transport operators to always exercise caution, patience and

responsibility. Recklessness costs lives’ and must not be tolerated nor condoned.

We further call on law enforcement to intensify operations to ensure that safety measures and compliance

to rules and regulations on our roads are always adhered to.

The ANC enters 2026 with renewed determination to lead, to serve and to deliver, together we will take

decisive action to fix local government, accelerate economic transformation, create jobs, deepen social

justice and renew the movement with the people of South Africa.

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