CAPE TOWN, WESTERN CAPE — As the Cape Town local elections approach this Wednesday, Fadiel Adams, leader of the National Colored Congress (NCC), is making a final push for voter support while firmly dismissing ongoing political scrutiny surrounding his name.
Speaking to the media in Mitchell’s Plain—the very community where the NCC was birthed out of grassroots frustration—Adams is asking the electorate to grant his party a second term in the city council. He argues that the mandate given to the NCC in the previous election remains unfinished and that the party is best positioned to deliver essential services to marginalized communities.
Defending the Party’s Record
When pressed on why residents should trust the NCC, Adams directed attention to the party’s legislative and community track record rather than political rhetoric.
“Look at our results. We’ve done more to hold the DA [Democratic Alliance] accountable than anyone. We’ve done more to expose corruption by the DA than anyone,” Adams stated, claiming that recent improvements in local services were directly brought about by the NCC’s interventions in the council.
He noted that the party has fought “tooth and nail” against political opponents, whom he referred to as “white supremacists,” adding that the resulting court battles have ultimately led to victories for their communities. Adams urged residents to look beyond individual personalities, stating, “You’re not voting for Fadiel, you’re voting for yourself,” and cautioned against voting for the “white community” where he claims funds and services are disproportionately directed.
Addressing the Madlanga Commission
The interview also tackled the political elephant in the room: the ongoing #MadlangaCommission and ad hoc committee investigations. When asked how voters could separate the leader from the controversies that have tainted his name this year, Adams remained defiant.
He pointed out that, to his knowledge, the Madlanga Commission has not yet made any recommendations against him personally, nor is he facing any serious criminal charges.
“I never knew that one man made an organization,” Adams remarked, emphasizing that the NCC, like any other political party, is bigger than a single individual. He attributed the existence of the commission to his own disruptive actions rather than the maneuvers of a “celebrity general,” framing the scrutiny as a testament to his impact on the political landscape.
Grassroots Campaigning and Local Issues
Unlike larger parties that rely on massive financial backing for elaborate campaign trails, Adams highlighted the NCC’s unique, low-budget approach. He described the party’s campaign as an extension of its daily social activism, problem-solving, and community listening.
“We didn’t come into this election in election mode. We came here in work mode,” Adams explained, noting that while other parties parachute into communities with specific agendas, the NCC’s agenda is rooted in daily, ground-level engagement.
The leader reiterated that the NCC’s focus remains strictly on local issues, specifically targeting the systemic challenges plaguing the Cape Flats. He outlined the community’s primary struggles: crime, gangsterism, drug proliferation, housing shortages, and high unemployment.
Advocating for the Colored Vote
Adams also addressed the broader socio-political landscape, pushing back against accusations of being a “Colored nationalist.” Instead, he embraced the label of giving “Colored resistance a name,” arguing that his community has been historically marginalized and ignored by mainstream political formations.
He drew a sharp contrast between Mitchell’s Plain and neighboring Philippi East. While Philippi East faces similar socio-economic challenges, Adams noted that it has the backing of major national parties like the ANC, EFF, and MKP. Conversely, he argued that the Colored communities on this side of the Cape Flats have been left without a dedicated political voice, making the NCC’s role vital.
As the November 4 vote looms, the NCC is banking on this localized, community-centric strategy to secure growth in the city council, hoping that voters will reward their daily activism with a renewed mandate at the ballot box.
