BENONI, Ekurhuleni — The Azanian People’s Organisation (AZAPO) has officially launched its 2026 Local Government Elections manifesto, positioning the party as a reform-driven alternative ahead of the November 4 polls. Speaking in Benoni, party president Nelvis Qekema outlined a comprehensive strategy rooted in the Black Consciousness tradition, emphasizing clean governance, community empowerment, and people-centred development.
As campaigning intensifies, AZAPO is distinguishing itself by offering a distinct ideological approach to municipal management, promising accountable administration and meaningful public participation.
Black Consciousness in Local Governance
Addressing supporters, Qekema directly linked the party’s foundational philosophy to everyday municipal challenges. He argued that Black Consciousness is deeply relevant to practical issues such as fighting potholes, ensuring reliable water and electricity, improving refuse removal, and managing municipal budgets.
“Black consciousness is ultimately about who possesses the power to change the conditions of the black life of black people,” Qekema stated. He emphasized that the ideology is about restoring agency, dignity, and confidence, rather than merely describing oppression. It is about communities understanding that they possess the inherent capacity to change their own conditions.
Empowering Communities Over Creating Beneficiaries
A central pillar of the newly unveiled manifesto is the shift in how citizens view their relationship with the state. Qekema stressed that residents should not see themselves as helpless beneficiaries, clients, or customers waiting for government rescue. Instead, he urged communities to become the authors of their own liberation and development under the rallying call to “Build your community. Build your future.”
While acknowledging that municipalities, councillors, and officials have strict obligations to deliver services, protect public funds, and ensure competent administration, the party leader insisted that true transformation requires more than just government action.
“It requires organized, conscious, and active communities,” Qekema explained. He called for communities that participate, hold leaders accountable, protect public infrastructure, and build local enterprises, noting that refusing to surrender the future is Black Consciousness in practice.
A Vision for Ethical Administration
Reinforcing the principle that public money belongs to the people, Qekema declared that “public office is a trust, not a prize.” The party is advocating for a model where a municipality acts strictly as an instrument of the community.
Summarizing the party’s unique perspective and its goals for the upcoming elections, Qekema noted that AZAPO strives for a partnership between an ethical government and a conscious community.
“Where others see voters, in AZAPO, we see citizens. Where others see beneficiaries, we see builders. Where others see settlements, we see communities,” he concluded, signaling a strong push for greater community control over local development and a demand for leadership that truly accounts to the people.
