Hundreds of thousands still waiting: ANC's service delivery promises face reality check
Millions of South Africans still lack basic services despite billions in government spending.
For the more than 385,000 households waiting on a roof, a working tap, or a reliable power supply, the African National Congress’s national executive committee meeting at Luthuli House last week was about more than party business. It was a reckoning with promises made during the 2021 local government elections, measured against what has actually changed in people’s daily lives across housing, water, and electricity.
On housing, the numbers are striking. Thembi Simelane, the minister of human settlements and an ANC NEC member, reported that informal settlements have declined from 16.2 percent to 8.1 percent over the five-year period. The portfolio behind that shift is vast: approximately 1,887 selected projects spread across nine provinces and 174 municipalities, backed by a recorded investment value exceeding 160 billion rand. Those projects are expected to deliver roughly 900 units or related outputs benefiting more than 385,000 households. Simelane made clear the ambition goes beyond bricks and mortar. The party is attempting to address what it describes as the economic impediment of spatial injustice through mixed development projects, pushing back against the geographic segregation that still shapes where poor South Africans live and work.
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Water tells a similar story of large spending and uneven results. David Mahlobo, deputy minister for water and sanitation, reported that the national government made approximately 156 billion rand available through grants and subsidies over the same period. Yet Mahlobo was candid about a basic failure: in many areas, taps still do not release water. He stressed that having skilled personnel in water delivery is critical to close that gap, and he signaled that where municipalities fall short, the national government will intervene within available statutory resources rather than accept what he called mediocrity and non-delivery.
Electricity presents the most complicated picture of the three. Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, minister of electricity and an ANC NEC member, stated that load shedding has been eliminated during the period under review. That is a meaningful shift for households and small businesses that endured years of rolling blackouts. But load reduction remains an outstanding issue in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, and Ramokgopa acknowledged a newer problem: electricity supply is now in surplus, yet it has become increasingly unaffordable, particularly for poorer households. The party is formulating policy to address that affordability crisis.
Meanwhile, the proposed transmission systems operator has stirred anxiety among unions, who see it as privatization of the electricity sector. Ramokgopa addressed this directly, stating unequivocally that transmission will never be privatized, describing it as a naturally occurring monopoly on which there is agreement. The outstanding challenge is moving assets from the Eskom group into the new wholly-owned entity, a process with real fiscal weight. When those assets move from the Eskom balance sheet, Eskom must be compensated at fair market value. Resolving that technical and financial question, Ramokgopa said, is an assignment the president has given to himself, finance minister Enoch Godongwana, and minister Tshavheni, supported by a technical team.
The ANC is preparing to launch its 2026 Local Government Elections Manifesto on August 23rd, presenting these assessments as its opening argument to voters. Whether the households still waiting on a working tap or an affordable electricity bill find that argument convincing is the question the next election cycle will answer.
Q&A
How many households are still waiting for basic services like housing, water, or electricity?
More than 385,000 households are waiting on a roof, a working tap, or a reliable power supply.
What progress has the ANC reported on informal settlements?
Informal settlements have declined from 16.2 percent to 8.1 percent over the five-year period, with approximately 1,887 selected projects across nine provinces and 174 municipalities backed by investment exceeding 160 billion rand.
What is the main problem with water delivery according to the deputy minister?
In many areas, taps still do not release water, and the national government has made approximately 156 billion rand available through grants and subsidies, but the basic failure persists due to lack of skilled personnel.
What new challenge has emerged in the electricity sector?
While load shedding has been eliminated, electricity supply is now in surplus yet increasingly unaffordable, particularly for poorer households, creating an affordability crisis the ANC is working to address.