Thousands of ANC Councillors Gather at FNB Stadium for Performance Review
ANC councilors in FNB meeting with senior officials.(ANC Ncape/via X)
by Mathipa Phishego
Thousands of ANC councillors from across South Africa convened at the FNB Stadium in Soweto today as the party’s national leadership undertakes a comprehensive review of its public representatives.
The gathering, described as a roll call of municipal representatives aims to assess councillors’ performance in the municipalities where they are deployed. The meeting comes amid calls from within the party for greater accountability and transparency in local governance.
“We are here to ensure that our councillors are performing their duties effectively and delivering services to communities. The roll call is about checking on progress, sharing best practices, and identifying areas that require improvement,”a senior ANC Official, Gwede Mantashe..
ANC leadership has emphasized that the exercise is not merely symbolic. Councillors are expected to submit detailed reports on their achievements, challenges faced in their wards, and initiatives implemented to improve service delivery. Officials said they note that the move is part of a broader strategy to strengthen grassroots governance ahead of upcoming local government elections.
The event at FNB Stadium underscores the ANC’s focus on internal monitoring and performance management within municipalities, which have in recent years faced criticism for inefficiency and corruption. By convening representatives on a national scale, the party seeks to reinforce discipline, foster accountability, and restore public confidence in its local governance structures.
Observers say the roll call may also serve as an opportunity for the national leadership to identify high-performing councillors for potential promotion and to flag areas where intervention is needed.
The gathering has drawn thousands of councillors, highlighting the scale and importance of the initiative. The FNB Stadium, South Africa’s largest venue was chosen to accommodate the extensive participation and facilitate direct communication between national leaders and municipal representatives.
As proceedings continue, party officials are expected to outline strategic directives, training programs, and accountability mechanisms designed to improve performance in wards across the country. The roll call reflects the ANC’s commitment to both monitoring and enhancing the effectiveness of its municipal representatives.