MTHATHA, Eastern Cape — The United Democratic Movement (UDM) has officially unveiled Prince Mlimandlela Ndamase as its mayoral candidate for the King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) Local Municipality, marking a major push for clean governance and service delivery ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections. Leading the candidate unveiling event in the OR Tambo District, UDM President Bantu Holomisa and Deputy President Nqabayomzi Kwankwa outlined a comprehensive roadmap to restore accountability and dignity to the region.
The UDM, which previously governed the KSD municipality, highlighted its past record of maintaining clean streets and effective service delivery. Party leaders contrasted this with the current administration, noting that the former mayor and several municipal staff members are currently facing corruption allegations. UDM Secretary Bulelani Bobotyane confirmed that the party has already opened cases and charges have been laid, but he criticized the ongoing delays in tabling the investigative reports to the municipal council.
Addressing supporters gathered for the announcement, Bobotyane emphasized that the basics of governance must function properly. He pointed to critical infrastructure failures in rural areas, including severe potholes and sanitation challenges. The UDM pledged to field quality, accessible leaders who will actively engage with communities to resolve these persistent service delivery backlogs.
On the topic of education, Bobotyane stressed that learning should never be politicized and remains a fundamental right for every South African child. The party committed to maintaining school infrastructure and preserving historical buildings, vowing to prevent the destruction of educational facilities and evidence as seen in recent local incidents. Additionally, the UDM plans to review electricity service providers in the KSD municipality, citing urgent concerns over exorbitant billing rates affecting residents.
Newly unveiled mayoral candidate Prince Mlimandlela Ndamase outlined immediate intervention plans to stabilize the KSD Local Municipality. He vowed to end lawlessness driven by corrupt tender interests related to infrastructure repair. A major pillar of his platform involves finalizing longstanding land claims around Mthatha, which have dragged on for over two decades and frustrated long-term government planning and land development.
Ndamase further clarified that the party’s development vision extends beyond commercial shopping centers. Instead, the UDM aims to establish innovation hubs where young people can produce and market goods nationally and internationally. Highlighting local grassroots progress, a UDM ward councillor candidate shared ongoing efforts to renovate a historical coastal property, originally used by former residents, in partnership with a local non-profit organization to restore it to its original state.
Shifting to national electoral administration, UDM President Bantu Holomisa strongly criticized the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) over its handling of candidate list submissions. Holomisa dismissed the IEC’s blanket disqualification statements as “nonsense,” expressing hope that the electoral court will heed the concerns raised by political parties regarding procedural fairness.
To ensure readiness for the upcoming elections, the UDM has conducted extensive workshops to guarantee that all prospective candidates fully understand their mandate: to serve the entire community, rather than acting solely as representatives of their political party.
