CAPE TOWN, Western Cape — As the 2026 local government elections approach, the newly registered AVRight Political Movement (AVR) has officially entered the political arena in Cape Town, aiming to contest nine wards with a strong focus on transparency and accountability.
Founded and led by Len Smith, the organization grew out of his extensive social media campaigns dedicated to civic education. After engaging the public on political and electoral issues online, followers encouraged Smith to transition from digital advocacy to formal political action, leading to the movement’s official registration in September.
Smith is personally contesting Ward 27 for a councillor position in Goodwood, his home suburb. His campaign platform centers on clean, open governance that prioritizes citizens’ needs and constitutional rights. A key pillar of his policy is the implementation of a participatory financial model.
“I will fight to ensure a shared budget process where the citizens’ voices dictate what is required for our people, rather than decisions being made behind closed doors,” Smith stated, emphasizing that local governance must be entirely transparent and open to the public.
Although the AV Right Political Movement is a new entrant to the political landscape, Smith views the upcoming term as a foundational step for the party’s long-term vision. He noted that the organization’s governance model, if elected, will serve as the strategic blueprint for their broader plans in the 2029 elections.
In a passionate appeal to the electorate, Smith directed his message at voters who have participated in every election cycle from 1994 to 2026. He urged them to look past the “promises and lies” of previously failed parties and to “get it right” by understanding the true power of their ballots.
“Fix what you have put in power. Remove their power,” Smith urged, calling for a collaborative effort to build a new political reality. “Let us work together. Let us create something new.”
He emphasized the need to create a “clean slate” for South Africans to reclaim their human rights, dignity, equality, and freedom, arguing that the current political landscape has left citizens feeling as though they have been “sold a democracy of nightmares.”
