WELKOM, Free State — The African Congress for Transformation (ACT) party has officially launched its local government election manifesto, with party president Ace Magashule outlining a comprehensive 10-point plan aimed at stabilizing struggling municipalities ahead of the November 4 polls. Speaking to a packed hall of supporters in the Thabong township of Welkom, Magashule detailed the party’s strategy to dismantle patronage networks and restore fundamental services to South African communities.
Restoring Basic Services and Safety
At the core of the ACT’s manifesto is a commitment to restoring what Magashule described as “basic civilization standards.” The party’s 10-point plan prioritizes the reliable provision of water, electricity, road maintenance, and regular refuse removal.
“Public money belongs to the people and we will treat it that way,” Magashule stated, emphasizing that when residents turn on a tap, water must flow, and when they drive down their streets, their cars should not be swallowed by potholes.
Safety and security were also highlighted as fundamental rights rather than privileges for the wealthy. Additionally, the manifesto proposes stricter municipal bylaws governing alcohol distribution, including a ban on taverns operating near schools and a prohibition on all-night music.
Professionalizing Municipal Administration
Addressing the decline in municipal performance, Magashule argued that political loyalty has severely damaged local governance. The ACT plans to eradicate the tender system for certain municipal services, opting instead to “insource” these roles to create permanent jobs with benefits.
“We will crash corrupt procurement,” Magashule declared, promising to hire strictly on merit, qualifications, and competence rather than political connections. He also instructed his future councillors to maintain strict professional conduct, warning that the “corridors of power” must not make leaders feel special or detached from the communities they serve.
Notably, Magashule rejected the trend of making unrealistic short-term pledges. “We are not going to promise people that in 100 days we shall have done so,” he explained, noting that the first 100 days in office would be dedicated to consulting communities, auditing municipal failures, and laying a solid foundation for long-term transformation. Furthermore, the ACT will not pre-select mayoral candidates, stating that mayors should be appointed by the communities and councillors after the elections.
Electoral Footprint and Candidate Criteria
The ACT is fielding a robust electoral structure, boasting 637 councillor candidates and over 200 Proportional Representation (PR) candidates. The party will contest municipalities across six provinces: the Free State, North West, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and all major metropolitan areas. In the Free State, the party is contesting all municipalities except two, including Mohokare in the Xhariep district.
Interestingly, the party has relaxed traditional educational barriers for its local candidates. Magashule clarified that a Matric certificate is not a strict requirement to become an ACT councillor. Instead, the party prioritizes practical experience, deep community knowledge, and the ability to communicate effectively with residents in their local languages, including sign language.
Grassroots Mobilization and Youth Focus
The manifesto launch also featured voices from the party’s grassroots structures. An ACT councillor candidate highlighted that the party’s representatives are already on the ground, creating household databases and addressing immediate service delivery issues like water leaks and potholes in their wards.
“Youth unemployment has become a scourge,” noted a young party member, emphasizing the urgent need to absorb qualified graduates into the workforce before tackling broader infrastructure projects.
Responding to these concerns, Magashule positioned the youth as the immediate drivers of the economy. “Young people, you are not the future. You are the present,” he urged, promising to establish municipal youth employment schemes, apprenticeships, and digital hubs. The party also emphasized inclusivity for older workers, recognizing those in their 40s, 50s, and 60s as vital breadwinners.
Building Progressive Alliances
The manifesto launch drew support from allied political movements, including the newly registered Voice for Change (VFC) party. A VFC representative attended the event to express solidarity, noting that the party aligns with the ACT’s left-leaning approach to political struggle and shared sentiments on municipal transformation. VFC has reportedly registered over 1,000 names for its own proportional representation lists in support of this broader progressive coalition.
As the November 4 local government elections approach, the ACT’s clear message to voters is one of grounded action over empty slogans, promising to rebuild municipalities through teamwork, respect, and an uncompromising focus on service delivery.
