ANC Campaigns on Power and Water It Has Not Fixed

Southern Africa · Politics

Key Facts

—The launch: President Cyril Ramaphosa launched the ANC’s local government election manifesto, titled Masakhe, at Riverside Park in Diepsloot, Johannesburg, on Sunday 23 August 2026.

—The debt: Municipalities owe Eskom, the state power utility, more than R110 billion (about US$6.9 billion), on the utility’s own figures, and Eskom projects it could pass R300 billion (about US$18.8 billion) within five years.

—One city’s bill: Johannesburg paid Eskom R5.25 billion (about US$328 million) in the week to 22 August, averting a city-wide cut-off.