“Perhaps Zuma Can Rescue the ANC” Dlamini-Zuma Speaks as ANC Support Falls to 30%

Former African National Congress (ANC) heavyweight Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has spoken about the party’s disappointing performance in the 2026 Local Government Elections, calling on its leadership to accept responsibility and reflect on the mistakes that contributed to its declining support.

Dlamini-Zuma made the remarks while addressing the ANC’s poor electoral showing, which saw the governing party secure approximately 30% of the vote. Her comments come at a difficult time for the ANC, which has faced growing pressure over its declining popularity and inability to maintain the level of support it enjoyed in previous elections.

According to Dlamini-Zuma, the party’s leadership must begin by examining its own conduct rather than looking for excuses or placing responsibility elsewhere. She argued that ANC leaders need to identify where they went wrong, make the necessary corrections and take collective responsibility for the situation.

“First, we need to look at ourselves, and see where we went wrong, and correct, and self-correct… I think all of us as a leadership should take responsibility,” Dlamini-Zuma said.

Her remarks point to the need for serious reflection within the ANC, particularly as the party attempts to understand why a significant section of the electorate has withdrawn its support.

The disappointing performance has also raised questions about the ANC’s leadership, internal direction and ability to rebuild public confidence ahead of future elections.

Meanwhile, the suggestion that the ANC is finished has also brought former South African President Jacob Zuma into the discussion, with an opinion emerging that the party should consider allowing him to play a role in rescuing it.

Jacob Zuma, who previously led the ANC before being replaced by Cyril Ramaphosa, now heads the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, which has become a political rival to his former organisation.

The suggestion that Zuma could help rescue the ANC presents an interesting political dimension, especially considering his current position outside the party and the electoral challenge posed by his new political movement.

However, Dlamini-Zuma’s remarks focused on accountability and the need for ANC leaders to correct their mistakes rather than proposing that Jacob Zuma should return to lead the organisation.

Her comments have highlighted the difficult questions facing the ANC as it considers what needs to change to regain the confidence of South African voters.

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