BUFFALO CITY, Eastern Cape — The African National Congress (ANC) has intensified its Local Government Elections (LGE 2026) campaign in the Eastern Cape, with top leadership descending on the Buffalo City Metro. The strategic push comes as the ruling party navigates significant hurdles in the province, most notably the failure to submit candidate lists to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) before the official deadline.
ANC National Chairperson Gwede Mantashe is currently touring the Dr. WB Rubusana region, which falls under the Buffalo City municipality, to engage directly with residents regarding their service delivery needs ahead of the November 4 polls.
Simultaneously, ANC First Deputy Secretary General Nomvula Mokonyane is leading grassroots efforts in Ward 7. This ward encompasses the densely populated Duncan Village, an area that has historically grappled with various service delivery challenges. Despite opposition parties like the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the United Democratic Movement (UDM) aggressively campaigning to wrest control of the metro, the ANC remains resolute in its mission to retain Buffalo City—the party’s only metropolitan municipality currently governed without a coalition.
Community Relocations and Infrastructure Upgrades
Speaking from the ground, Mokonyane highlighted tangible progress being made in the region. She noted that residents from Ward 6, now integrated into Ward 7, are benefiting from a crucial relocation program. The initiative moves families out of informal, uninhabitable settlements and into densification projects.
Furthermore, the party is prioritizing infrastructure upgrades, such as addressing an overloaded transformer in the area by transitioning residents to prepaid electricity systems. This shift aims to give households direct responsibility over their power supply. Party volunteers have also been actively assisting the IEC in registering special voters who require logistical help, ensuring broader electoral participation.
“We just went unplanned into every household and met those that are indigent,” Mokonyane explained, emphasizing the activation of the indigent register to ensure vulnerable citizens receive necessary benefits. She stressed that the party’s current approach aligns with its six core priorities of building better communities and moving beyond mere promises to immediate, on-the-ground interventions.
Mokonyane also praised the reception of the ANC’s local candidate, noting that both young and old residents already recognize and appreciate the work being done on the ground before the individual is even officially sworn in as a councilor.
Addressing Internal Party Friction
The campaign trail has not been without internal distractions. The party is currently dealing with the fallout of disgruntled members, including National Executive Committee (NEC) members Andile Lungisa and other senior party figures, who have taken legal action regarding their exclusion from the candidate lists.
When questioned about the court challenges, Mokonyane maintained a cautious and disciplined stance. Acknowledging that she had been campaigning in the Amathole region over the past few days before arriving in Buffalo City, she stated she had only seen the developments on social media. She confirmed that she expects a comprehensive briefing from official party channels by Monday.
“Andile is a member of the NEC and knows the rules, understands the constitution,” Mokonyane remarked, urging that internal dispute resolution processes be allowed to unfold naturally. “Where he has issues with how the ANC has resolved, let’s allow that process to unfold. Here we are focusing on what is a primary task: to win the elections, to accelerate delivery, and build better communities with our people.”
Looking Ahead to November 4
As the November 4 election date approaches, the ANC’s strategy heavily relies on increasing voter turnout and expanding resident participation through active ward committees. Later in the day, the First Deputy Secretary General is scheduled to visit city hall to engage with first-time voters, aiming to gather their input to directly influence the party’s manifesto and council priorities.
By engaging voters and gathering direct feedback from households, the party hopes to refine its local manifesto priorities. The leadership remains confident that their hands-on approach to service delivery and community development will secure their electoral stronghold in the Eastern Cape.
