THOHOYANDOU, Limpopo — The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) officially kicked off its 2026 Local Government Elections campaign by unveiling its highly anticipated manifesto during a massive 13th-anniversary rally in Thohoyandou, Limpopo. Party leader Julius Malema headlined the event at the historic Thohoyandou Stadium, signaling a strategic pivot toward practical municipal governance and aggressive service delivery as the November 4 polls rapidly approach.
A Calculated Return to a Tough Battleground
The selection of Thohoyandou Stadium is a deliberate tactical move. Built in 1979, the 47-year-old venue boasts a 20,000-seat capacity, meets Professional Soccer League (PSL) standards, and has a history of hosting major national events, including a Freedom Day celebration headlined by President Cyril Ramaphosa two years ago.
EFF Secretary General Marshall Dlamini acknowledged that the party is intentionally returning to a region where it has historically struggled. Following subpar electoral performances, the EFF dissolved its provincial leadership structures in Limpopo, Gauteng, the Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal in 2022. Dlamini noted that the ruling party still commands over 70% voter support in this part of the province. Despite the EFF’s national growth in local government support from 14.50% in 2016 to 16.81% in 2021, leadership insists the party must “flex more muscle” and prove it can break ground in its most difficult territories.
Manifesto Pillars: Governance, Land, and Healthcare
With just 103 days remaining until the elections, the manifesto emphasizes a national transition from liberation struggle rhetoric to strict governance politics. Dlamini stressed that voters are no longer swayed by political slogans; they demand professional, qualified leadership to reverse the collapse of local municipalities.
The document reaffirms land redistribution as the EFF’s number one cardinal pillar, arguing that true economic freedom is impossible without equitable access to land for local business and housing development. Additionally, the party is doubling down on its promise to establish 24-hour healthcare clinics nationwide. Spokesperson Thembi Msane pointed to the party’s proven track record in Johannesburg, where the EFF’s former Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) successfully pioneered four round-the-clock clinics that are currently operational.
Tackling Service Delivery and Financial Mismanagement
Msane detailed the manifesto’s aggressive stance on municipal finance, specifically targeting the over-reliance on external consultants and tenderpreneurs. She highlighted severe financial distress in metros like Ekurhuleni, which struggles to pay for Eskom, water, and rent.
Locally, the manifesto addresses the dire water crisis in Giyani. Msane criticized the national government’s claim that the Nandoni Dam water reticulation project is “99.9% complete,” pointing to the grim reality that residents are still forced to share water sources with livestock. The EFF argues that the national treasury’s practice of withholding grants from underperforming municipalities is counterproductive. Instead, the party advocates for strict political monitoring and the insourcing of municipal workers to ensure funds directly improve community quality of life.
Local Political Friction and National Accountability
The rally unfolded against a backdrop of localized political tension. The EFF strongly condemned a simultaneous rival rally hosted by the African National Congress (ANC) at Muera Stadium, located less than two kilometers away. Party representatives labeled the ANC’s move as a display of political immaturity and intolerance, alleging that the rival event was organized without proper venue security inspections or official booking protocols in a deliberate attempt to counter the EFF’s momentum.
On the national stage, Dlamini addressed a recent High Court decision that granted an interdict halting an impeachment committee process. Expressing deep disappointment, Dlamini framed the legal maneuver as an evasion of accountability. He accused the President of abandoning his “transparency” rhetoric and vowed that the EFF’s fight to hold the executive accountable will persist, regardless of legal delays.
Fielding the “Best of the Best”
As the campaign shifts into high gear, the EFF promised to field its “best of the best” candidates for mayoral positions in key strategic municipalities. When pressed on whether she would be the mayoral candidate for Ekurhuleni, Msane deflected the focus from individual ambition to party strength. She emphasized that any candidate chosen will operate under the strong banner of EFF policies, ensuring that clean governance and service delivery remain the ultimate priority for South African voters this November.
