Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga — The African United Movement (AUM) is intensifying its campaign in Mpumalanga, targeting critical infrastructure deficits in the Thaba Chweu and Bushbuckridge municipalities during the 2026 local government elections. Formed in 2021, the small political party currently holds one seat in the Thaba Chweu municipality and is now aggressively expanding its footprint to challenge larger parties that they argue have failed to deliver basic services.
For the upcoming local government elections, the AUM is contesting for a total of 44 seats across both the Thaba Chweu and Bushbuckridge municipalities. The party’s platform is heavily focused on rectifying severe service delivery failures, with a primary emphasis on human dignity and basic human needs.
Peter Makhubela, President of the African United Movement, outlined the party’s urgent priorities, placing water security at the very top of the agenda. Highlighting the dire conditions faced by rural communities, Makhubela pointed out the unacceptable reality of local water sources.
“Priority number one, we want to make sure that the whole Thaba Chweu, we want to make sure that we prioritize the issue of water because water is a source of life,” Makhubela explained. “And as we speak now, there are still people who are there… drinking water with animals in the rivers.”
Beyond water security, the AUM is campaigning for universal electrification and improved living conditions. Makhubela stressed the necessity of ensuring that every single household in their targeted municipalities is connected to the electricity grid. Additionally, the party has committed to a comprehensive housing and urban development strategy specifically for the Thaba Chweu area, promising to formalize all informal settlements to provide residents with secure tenure and proper municipal services.
The AUM’s targeted approach reflects a broader frustration among voters in Mpumalanga. As small parties and independent candidates continue to gain traction, the political narrative is shifting away from traditional party loyalty and toward a strict demand for functional, reliable service delivery. By focusing on the most fundamental necessities of life—clean water, electricity, and formalized housing—the African United Movement hopes to convert voter frustration into electoral gains this year.
