DURBAN, KwaZulu-Natal — The National People’s Ambassadors (NPA) is positioning itself for a significantly larger role in KwaZulu-Natal ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections, with the party announcing an expanded footprint across all municipalities in the province.
The political contest in the province is gaining a new dynamic as the NPA promises to offer a viable alternative to what it describes as failing local government. To strengthen its ranks, the party is actively recruiting serving councilors and political organizers from some of the country’s most established political parties.
Among the high-profile recruits is National Freedom Party (NFP) co-founder and former Nongoma Local Municipality mayor Jeremiah Mavundla, who was expelled from the party last year for allegedly failing to renew his membership. Also joining the NPA are former NFP member Thembinkosi Sibiya, the Chief Whip of Mtubatuba Local Municipality, and former NFP member Solomon Khumalo, the Speaker of Okhahlamba Local Municipality.
Zandile Myeni, president of the NPA, stated that the party is leveraging its accumulated knowledge to rebuild public trust.
“We are taking the experience that we have gained from the trends of local government and turning it into a formidable pride that will make our people trust government again, standing against dictatorship,” Myeni said. “In recent months, most members of the NPA have experienced an unprecedented flux of seasoned public servants.”
According to the party, these political shifts are being driven by growing frustration among voters over poor service delivery. Myeni emphasized that the NPA is focused on correcting the power imbalance between elected officials and the communities they serve.
“We believe that one of the issues that makes our people lose confidence, not only in government but also in political parties, is the fundamental challenge of leaders who become bigger than the electorate they are leading,” Myeni continued. “Moving forward, we will be intensifying the mechanisms that will make our councilors deliver.”
The National People’s Ambassadors has indicated that it will soon unveil its official manifesto and announce its ward candidates as it finalizes its strategy for the upcoming 2026 Local Government Elections.
