ANC KZN rallies on Freedom Day ahead of local polls

The African National Congress (ANC) marks Freedom Day at Ohlange, rallying support ahead of local elections, in KwaZulu-Natal

The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal has used the Freedom Day commemorations to rally members ahead of the local government elections. Party leaders and supporters commemorated the day at Ohlange in Inanda, north of Durban.

This is the burial site of the first ANC President John Langalibalele Dube. The ANC is still focusing on its renewal programme in the province after a bruising 2024 elections.

African National Congress (ANC) supporters have gathered to celebrate Freedom Day at Ohlange High School, in Inanda, north of Durban where Nelson Mandela cast his ballot in the first democratic election in 1994. pic.twitter.com/5qyYHgaSYo

— SABC News (@SABCNews) April 27, 2026

Nelson Mandela cast his first democratic vote in the chapel in 1994. Dube’s grandson, Langa Dube, urged the party to work with communities to protect the country’s hard-won freedom to ensure it’s enjoyed by everyone.

“We seem to not want to rise to that and say how do we reinvigorate and reconnect with the masses. There are certain services 32 years later, that we are not grumbling about. It’s quite telling. It would be a huge disappointment to Madiba if he could rise tomorrow, and John Dube, to see what they had been advocating, is still not yet achieved. In as much as there is that little that has been achieved, but 32 years later a lot more could be done,” says Dube.

The ANC suffered a bruising defeat in the 2024 general election in KwaZulu-Natal, leaving its electoral support at just 17%.

Many commemorated the day by reflecting on the achievements, while remaining mindful of the task ahead.

32 YEARS OF DEMOCRACY

In fixing local government, we will accelerate service delivery, invest in people, improve the quality of life, provide water, sanitation, fix potholes, street lights, load reduction and build a capable ethical local government.#FreedomDay2026 pic.twitter.com/9D7Xt8Zkk4

— ANC – African National Congress (@MYANC) April 27, 2026

Addressing supporters, leaders used the gathering to remind members of the ANC’s liberation credentials and its achievements in government. Provincial Task Team Convener, Mike Mabuyakhulu, said they are recommitting themselves to rectifying the mistakes, serving the people and tackling the challenges facing them.

He urged members to select credible candidates for the upcoming local polls.

“As our forbears dealt with the challenges then, we are up to the task of dealing with the current challenges particularly of youth unemployment, the challenges of ensuring there is consistent supply of services, the challenges of ensure that our people, wherever they are, they are able to get the best services from our leaders. That’s what people are expecting and that is what the ANC is committing to do,” says Mabuyakhulu.

Various political parties including the Democratic Alliance (DA), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) are vying for key KwaZulu Natal municipalities.

The ANC, too, says it’s ready to fight to win councils in what is tipped to be the most highly contested elections yet.

Whether the visit to the historic ground of Ohlange can help the party stem the polling slide and reclaim councils in the province, remains to be seen.