The ANC’s national chairperson, Gwede Mantashe, rolled up his sleeves on Tuesday and took the party’s election drive straight into the streets of Hammarsdale, a bustling township on the outskirts of Durban. With campaign vans parked outside local schools and community halls, the veteran politician knelt on doorsteps, swapped pleasantries with residents, and pressed a clear message: the African National Congress is listening and ready to act on the everyday challenges that define life in KwaZulu‑Natal’s metropolitan fringe.
Mantashe’s on‑the‑ground push comes as the ANC scrambles to rebuild lost ground after a series of disappointing by‑elections and mounting criticism over service delivery. Over the course of the afternoon, the chairperson fielded questions on everything from water tariffs to unemployment, promising that the party’s upcoming policy platform will focus on job creation, affordable housing and improved public utilities. His presence in Durban underscores a broader strategy: a door‑to‑door campaign that aims to reconnect the ANC with voters who feel neglected by the political establishment.
Residents of Hammarsdale, many of whom have endured chronic power cuts and delayed road repairs, greeted the high‑profile visit with a mix of scepticism and hope. “We hear a lot of promises, but we need action,” said Thandeka Dlamini, a local shop owner who invited Mantashe into her store to discuss the rising cost of goods. “If the ANC can actually deliver on water and electricity, then we will support them.” The chairperson listened attentively, noting the concerns in his campaign notebook and assuring the community that the party’s provincial leadership would prioritise swift intervention.
Throughout the engagement, Mantashe repeatedly highlighted the ANC’s historic role in the struggle against apartheid, positioning the party’s legacy as a springboard for contemporary governance. “Our fight has always been about dignity and service,” he told an assembled crowd near the Hammarsdale Sports Ground. “Now we must translate those values into tangible outcomes for our people.” The speech resonated particularly with younger attendees, many of whom expressed frustration over limited employment prospects and a perceived disconnect between national policy and local realities.
The Durban outreach is part of a coordinated national effort spearheaded by the ANC’s campaign office, which has deployed senior figures to key provinces ahead of the 2024 general election. In Gauteng, former finance minister Pravin Gordhan has been canvassing the Soweto and Tshwane townships, while in the Eastern Cape, Deputy President David Mabuza has focused on the Nelson Mandela Bay region. According to our sources within the party’s communications team, the intent is to cultivate a grassroots momentum that can offset the ANC’s declining polling numbers in urban centres.
Political analysts suggest that Mantashe’s personal brand—rooted in his reputation as a disciplined, no‑nonsense organiser—could prove pivotal in rejuvenating the party’s image in KwaZulu‑Natal. “He is seen as a stabiliser, someone who can bring order to a fracturing party,” noted Dr. Lindiwe Mthembu, a senior lecturer at the University of KwaZulu‑Natal. “His grassroots approach is a calculated move to re‑engage the electorate that has drifted towards the IFP and newer opposition parties.”
However, critics argue that door‑to‑door campaigning will only be effective if it is backed by concrete policy shifts and financial allocations. The Democratic Alliance’s provincial spokesperson, Steven Swart, warned that “talk without delivery is just political theatre.” He added that the ANC must demonstrate fiscal responsibility and transparency if it hopes to win back the trust of municipalities plagued by irregular expenditures.
Mantashe’s tour also shone a light on the logistical challenges of campaigning in post‑COVID South Africa. With health protocols still in place, the ANC’s rally teams have adopted hybrid formats, combining traditional canvassing with digital outreach via WhatsApp groups and targeted Facebook ads. The photo that accompanied the event—showing the chairperson shaking hands with local elders—has already garnered thousands of likes and shares, amplifying the message beyond the immediate neighbourhood.
Key takeaways from the Durban stop include:
- Direct voter contact: Mantashe’s door‑to‑door approach signals an attempt to rebuild personal connections with constituents.
- Policy focus: Emphasis on water, electricity, and job creation aligns with pressing community concerns.
- Political positioning: The ANC is trying to reclaim its historical narrative while addressing modern governance failures.
The atmosphere in Hammarsdale remained upbeat as the day drew to a close, with many residents expressing a cautious optimism that the ANC’s renewed outreach could translate into visible improvements. As the party’s national headquarters prepares to release its full election manifesto later this month, the eyes of both supporters and detractors will be fixed on whether the promises spoken on Durban’s streets can survive the scrutiny of parliament and the demands of a restless electorate.
In a country where political loyalty is increasingly fluid, Gwede Mantashe’s Durban campaign serves as a barometer for the ANC’s broader strategy: reconnect, re‑promise, and, most importantly, deliver. Whether this grassroots push will be enough to swing the vote back in the ANC’s favour remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—South Africans are watching, and they expect more than rhetoric.