ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula says the party knew it would face a difficult election in KwaZulu-Natal, acknowledging the influence of former president Jacob Zuma in the province.
Mbalula described Zuma as “insimbi kayigobi” — unbending iron — while reflecting on the ANC’s performance in the 2026 Local Government Elections.
“We knew that this was going to happen in KZN,” Mbalula said.
He explained that the party had anticipated a strong challenge from Zuma and his MK Party in the province, but suggested that the eventual outcome was not as bad as the ANC had initially expected.
The MK Party recorded a strong showing in KwaZulu-Natal, while the ANC’s support declined in a province where it has historically enjoyed significant electoral support.
Mbalula’s comments amount to an acknowledgement that the ANC had anticipated losing ground in the province, even as the party assessed the extent of its electoral setback.
