Johannesburg – The African National Congress (ANC) has closed its Greater Johannsburg Regional Conference with new leadership taking the reins, determined to turn around the fortunes of the party of Nelson Mandela.
Speaking at the end of the conference on Saturday, 6 December 2025, the newly elected regional chairperson of the ANC in Greater Johannesburg, Loyiso Masuku, noted the party’s electoral decline and promised to reverse the trend.
She pointed out that the conference was held at a time when the ANC was on “a path of decline from its electoral support and historical support base”.
The first woman to be elected chair of Greater Joburg declared: “I stand before you today with a heart full of humility and a spirit ignited by a profound sense of purpose.
“The trust you have placed in us as we wrap up the conference, to serve this organisation in Johannesburg, the economic heartbeat of our nation and continent, is not a privilege we take lightly.
“It is a mandate for renewal, a call to action, and a sacred covenant between the African National Congress and the people we are tasked to serve in Johannesburg.”
Masuku received 184 votes in the contest against 149 for former chairperson Dada Morero.
The new chair spoke of the magnitude of the task of reversing the ANC’s decline.
Masuku said the reason for this decline was written in the daily experiences of millions, such as the scourge of unemployment, economic stagnation, and failure of service delivery.
“Water shortages, electricity disruptions and crumbling infrastructure remain a reality; alongside the corrosive shadow of corruption and internal factionalism,” lamented Masuku.
“All this has severely damaged our party’s image. Its moral authority and its ability to govern effectively have been brought into question.
“The voter is no longer patient and has become a vocal critic of our track record and ability to resolve basic service delivery challenges.
“The ballot, which was once an affirmation of the ANC’s programme, has become a tool of accountability to punish the ANC.”
Masuku stated that the ANC, therefore, stood at a crossroads where renewal was not just the election of new leadership but renewal of commitment to better the lives of South Africans.
She warned the new executive not to betray the founding principles of this ANC.
“Comrades, this leadership will have to confront the tangible and intangible,” stated Masuku.
“We face a daunting array of day-to-day challenges: crime, infrastructure decay, energy and water insecurity, and deep-seated public distrust in institutions.
“Addressing these requires not just technical competence but unflinching accountability and operational effectiveness.”
Masuku said the true measure and significance of the new leadership collective will also lie in restoring hope and fostering a shared civic identity.
“Today must be the commencement of a journey towards selfless and unwavering commitment to serving the people of Johannesburg. We must rebuild dignity and respect for our organisation,” said Masuku.
“We must champion non-racialism and non-sexism to reclaim the space and affirm the ANC as the true leader of society.
“As the ANC, we have lost the active support of our voters.
“They have abandoned us, but fortunately, they have not shifted their votes to other parties.”
In order to win back support, Masuku said the ANC must go back to the people and communities and reclaim, recommit and humble itself to the party’s voters.
“We must respond and be sensitive to the issues of residents and ANC voters,” Masuku stated.
“We must listen, act and provide solutions to ingxaki zabanu.
“Our people want work, they want to be safe, they want to live in a clean City, and they deserve to be respected, served and heard.
“As the Chairperson of the ANC in Johannesburg, I commit this leadership to listen, hear and act on the issues that residents of Johannesburg raise.”
