PHUTHADITJHABA, Free State — The African Content Movement (ACM), led by Hlaudi Motsoeneng, has officially launched its “90% Action Plan” for the 2026 Local Government Elections, focusing heavily on service delivery and economic transformation in the Maluti-A-Phofung municipality. Speaking at a massive rally at the Phuthaditjhaba stadium in Qwaqwa, Motsoeneng outlined a localized strategy aimed at securing an outright majority in the Free State, explicitly rejecting the traditional political “manifesto” in favor of what he calls a concrete action plan.
The “90% Action Plan” and Localized Employment
At the core of the ACM’s 2026 electoral strategy is the “90% Action Plan.” Motsoeneng explained that the primary objective is to ensure that 90% of the people working within the Maluti-A-Phofung municipality are locals. Furthermore, the party intends to decentralize job creation, ensuring that new factories and employment opportunities are situated directly within rural villages—such as Qwaqwa and Harrismith—rather than being concentrated only in central towns.
Infrastructure Overhaul: Water, Roads, and Electricity
Addressing critical service delivery failures, the ACM leader outlined aggressive timelines for infrastructure rehabilitation. Motsoeneng pledged to resolve the region’s water crisis within one year by upgrading local dam infrastructure. He detailed a strategy to temporarily switch off one dam to install new infrastructure while the remaining dams, including the Sterkfontein Dam, continue to supply the area, thereby avoiding the “patching” solutions he attributes to current leadership. Electricity infrastructure is slated for a two-year turnaround.
Road maintenance is another key pillar of the action plan. Motsoeneng highlighted the severe pothole crisis affecting rural access, particularly during funerals. To combat this, he announced plans to demand that the provincial government return road graders (locally referred to as *gandas*) to Maluti-A-Phofung. He argued that these resources were unfairly relocated to Bloemfontein in 1994, disempowering the local community.
Financial Turnaround and “Fit for Purpose” Leadership
A major focal point of Motsoeneng’s address was the municipality’s financial management. He noted that the municipal budget for the 2026/2027 financial year sits at R2.7 billion, a figure that includes conditional grants. Motsoeneng pledged to grow the municipality’s financial footprint to R4.5 billion.
He drew direct comparisons to his previous tenure at the SABC, claiming he successfully turned that entity’s finances around from R4 billion to R8 billion. When pressed on the municipality’s substantial Eskom debt, which exceeds R2 billion, Motsoeneng dismissed the figure as “peanuts,” expressing absolute confidence in his ability to resolve the crisis.
Defining his leadership style, Motsoeneng redefined the concept of “fit for purpose” hiring. While acknowledging that technical roles like finance require qualified accountants, he argued that true leadership requires a “heart” and the ability to feel the pain of the suffering public. He positioned himself as the definitive decision-maker within the ACM, stating he is the “alpha and omega” of the party’s direction.
Electoral Targets and Coalition Stance
Looking ahead to the 2026 Local Government Elections, the ACM will be contesting in three key municipalities: Maluti-A-Phofung, Mafube, and Mantsopa.
Motsoeneng made it clear that his primary goal is to secure “50 plus one” percent of the vote in Maluti-A-Phofung to govern with an outright majority, thereby avoiding the complexities of coalition governments. He cited the massive turnout at the Qwaqwa rally—correcting initial estimates of “hundreds” by claiming over 18,000 attendees—as evidence of the public’s readiness for a decisive ACM victory.
However, should the results necessitate a coalition, Motsoeneng stated the ACM is open to working with any political party. The sole condition for partnership, he emphasized, is that coalition partners must be fully committed to eradicating poverty and creating employment within the municipality.
Party Background
Founded in December 2018 by Motsoeneng, the African Content Movement previously contested the 2019 and 2024 general elections. While the party did not secure seats in the National Assembly during those cycles, it successfully won two council seats within the Maluti-A-Phofung local municipality, setting the stage for their expanded 2026 regional campaign.
