‘They will struggle in the big cities’ — What you said about the ANC’s elections predictions

TimesLIVE readers don’t share former finance minister Tito Mboweni’s optimism about the ANC winning all metros in the local government elections on November 1.

Mboweni made the bold statement on Sunday, saying the ruling party “has to and will” emerge victorious next month, and called on party members to roll up their sleeves and get to work.

Service delivery and developing local economies are popular slogans among political parties as they campaign for their share of the country’s 278 municipalities comprising eight metros, 44 districts and 226 local municipalities. 

Mboweni’s claim was met with mixed reactions online, with many predicting the ruling party will struggle in the face of scandals, allegations of corruption and non-delivery of services. 

TimesLIVE put Mboweni’s claims to the test and quizzed readers on whether they think the ANC has what it takes to win in all metros.

Most, or 63%, said the party will struggle in the big cities and may even lose a few, 23% said the ruling party will be lucky to win one metro, and 14% pledged their support and said they would vote for the ANC.

On social media, readers were not convinced the ANC will win big.

“The ANC must be kicked to its teeth, like in 2016. The party is incapable of dealing with corruption. They can’t even pay their employees. After almost three decades in power, it’s time for something different,” wrote Leo Christopher Wyatt Jr. 

“He [Mboweni] is just predicting. It is voters who will decide which political party they will give their votes to,” said Lukhs Lukhs.

Barry Headland said the results should reflect the ANC’s effort in fighting corruption and delivering services.

“You deserve votes in accordance with the quality of services you have delivered, the amount of integrity you have displayed in your job, and your ability to listen to customers needs. Has the metro performed? If yes, vote ANC.”