In a digital gambit meant to project an image of a party hard at work, African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula took to social media platform X on October 24, 2025, posting a series of images depicting municipal workers repairing potholed roads, painting buildings, and performing general infrastructure maintenance. The posts, strategically tagged with the hashtag #ANCatWork, were framed as tangible proof of the party’s much-touted “renewal” and its commitment to tangible service delivery.
The move, however, backfired spectacularly, transforming a controlled public relations exercise into a lightning rod for the deep-seated frustrations of a nation grappling with economic stagnation and a legacy of governance failures.
Strategic Showcase Meets Cynical Public
The images, which garnered thousands of engagements, were clearly timed to align with South Africa’s preparations to host the prestigious G20 summit in Johannesburg. With the eyes of the world soon to be upon the country, the ANC is keen to present a facade of a functioning state and a capable governing party. Mbalula’s posts were a direct part of this narrative, attempting to showcase a government actively rectifying years of infrastructure neglect.
“On the ground, fixing, building and renewing,” Mbalula wrote in a caption accompanying one of the photos, depicting workers in branded overalls filling a pothole. “The work of rebuilding our communities continues.”
The Backlash: A Litany of Long-Standing Grievances
The public response was swift, severe, and multifaceted, serving as a stark barometer of the national mood. The comments section quickly devolved into a digital courtroom where the ANC was put on trial.
- Accusations of “Eleventh-Hour” PR: The most prevalent criticism accused the party of superficiality and opportunism. “So you remember there are potholes just as the world is coming to visit?” read one typical, highly-liked response. “Where has this urgency been for the last 10 years while our roads decayed?” Users labeled the efforts as “window-dressing,” suggesting the repaired roads were only along routes likely to be used by foreign dignitaries.
- A Demand for Systemic Accountability: Beyond the asphalt and paint, commentators demanded answers for larger, systemic issues. They directly linked the imagery to the country’s staggering unemployment rate, which remains above 32%, rampant corruption scandals that have crippled state-owned enterprises, and persistent load-shedding.
- The “Good, But…” Response: A smaller, yet significant, segment of users acknowledged that the work itself was positive, but questioned its sustainability and motive. “It’s good to see repairs, but we need to know which connected company got the tender and why this specific site was chosen,” one user noted, highlighting the pervasive public distrust in procurement processes. “This isn’t renewal; it’s electioneering ahead of 2026.”
A Party at a Precarious Crossroads
The vehement public reaction to Mbalula’s posts is more than just social media outrage; it is a microcosm of the ANC’s central political challenge. With recent polls showing a continued decline in popular support ahead of the crucial 2026 local government elections, the party is desperately trying to rebrand itself as competent and responsive.
However, as the online backlash demonstrates, a handful of positive images are insufficient to overwrite years of lived experience for millions of South Africans. The public is increasingly drawing a line between public relations and genuine public service, and for a growing number, the ANC’s #ANCatWork campaign is being seen as a desperate attempt to polish a deeply tarnished brand, rather than a sincere commitment to the hard, unglamorous work of governance. The chasm between the party’s projected image and the public’s perceived reality has never been more visibly on display.
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