JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG — The Azanian People’s Organisation (AZAPO) has officially unveiled its 2026 local government elections manifesto, with party president Nelvis Qekema taking a firm stance against future political alliances with the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus). Ahead of the November 4 polls, the historic liberation movement outlined a radical vision for accountable governance, community empowerment, and a complete restructuring of South Africa’s governmental tiers.
A Vision for Active Citizenship and Accountability
At the core of the AZAPO 2026 local government elections manifesto is a demand for strict accountability and a redefined relationship between the government and the public. Qekema emphasized that leadership must view citizens not as passive customers waiting for service delivery or food parcels, but as the true principals of democracy.
“The leadership must understand that they are the servants of the people, and therefore the people are in charge,” Qekema explained. He noted that the party’s vision promotes a “new social impact” requiring active citizen participation in municipalities, ensuring that officials govern, leadership leads, and the people are continuously involved in the developmental process.
National Contest and Merit-Based Candidates
Despite questions regarding their footprint, AZAPO confirmed it will contest the upcoming elections across the entire country, rather than limiting its focus to specific metropolitan areas. Qekema highlighted the party’s historical credentials, noting that AZAPO is a liberation movement that “fought, bled, and died” for the current democracy.
When addressing the selection of mayoral and local candidates, Qekema dismissed the trend of choosing candidates based purely on local popularity. “These days, even dogs are popular. Even thieves and thugs are popular,” he remarked, stressing that the party prioritizes skills, knowledge, ethics, and principles over mere name recognition.
Firm Stance on Coalitions: Ruling Out DA and FF Plus
With the political landscape increasingly fragmented, coalition governments are highly anticipated following the November 4 elections. However, Qekema made it clear that AZAPO will not enter “convenient coalitions” simply to secure political positions or access the “cookie jar.”
The party president drew a hard line regarding potential coalition partners, explicitly ruling out alliances with what he termed “white supremacist parties,” specifically naming the DA and the FF+. Qekema criticized other black political organizations for partnering with these groups, arguing that such alliances treat black citizens as “doormats” rather than equals.
Furthermore, AZAPO refuses to work with parties implicated in corruption and state capture, referencing the findings of the Zondo Commission. “We will not work with corrupt political parties and parties that are responsible for this mess,” Qekema stated, adding that the party will not associate with leaders whose names have been linked to systemic theft.
Ethical Funding and Structural Government Reform
To maintain its ideological independence, AZAPO reiterated its refusal to accept “blood money,” “anti-black money,” or funding from dubious quarters. The party relies strictly on contributions from its own members and the public.
Looking beyond the elections, the manifesto proposes a radical structural reform: the abolition of provincial governments. Qekema argued that the provincial “middle tier” does nothing but consume resources, pointing out that approximately R800 billion in transfers currently goes to this tier.
By scrapping provincial government, AZAPO advocates for a streamlined two-tier system consisting only of the central and local governments. “Local government is not just closest to the people; it is the people,” Qekema concluded. “It is the instrument and the tool that the people must use to recreate themselves, develop themselves, and become their own liberators.”
