PRETORIA, Gauteng — The Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) officially launched its comprehensive manifesto for the 2026 Local Government Elections in Pretoria on Saturday, presenting a bold 10-point plan designed to rescue failing municipalities and restore reliable service delivery. Speaking to a crowd of supporters, party leader Dr. Corné Mulder and national spokesperson Wouter Wessels emphasized that the upcoming November polls represent a critical opportunity to implement structural changes, prioritize community needs, and hold local government accountable.
A 10-Point Plan for Municipal Rescue
At the core of the FF Plus offering is a pragmatic turnaround strategy for local government, which Wessels described as “undisputedly the biggest failure in South Africa,” leaving residents to suffer the consequences. The manifesto proposes immediate cutbacks within municipal structures to free up finances currently consumed by bloated salary bills.
Wessels, who also serves as the party’s national chairperson and head of elections, highlighted a severe imbalance in municipal staffing. He noted that there are currently too many senior and middle management officials earning high salaries in political support roles, while a critical shortage of skilled artisans, electricians, and maintenance workers persists. The FF Plus plans to redirect resources away from unnecessary management positions and toward appointing competent, merit-based personnel who can directly contribute to fixing leaking pipes, restoring electricity, and improving infrastructure.
Furthermore, the party’s policy directives demand that infrastructure grants be spent in full, with a strict requirement that at least 8% of the book value of municipal assets be allocated to maintenance annually. Dr. Mulder stressed that decision-making must be decentralized, ensuring that communities have a genuine say in their own affairs rather than being subjected to token public participation exercises dictated by officials hundreds of kilometers away.
Broadening Appeal and Diverse Support
Addressing the party’s growth, Wessels rejected what he termed “propaganda lies” that the FF Plus is an exclusionary organization. He pointed to a steady increase in diverse candidates joining the party since the 2016 municipal elections, all united by a commitment to sound principles and the improvement of all South Africans’ livelihoods.
Currently, the FF Plus is contesting in every council and ward in the Western Cape, Northern Cape, Free State, North West, KwaZulu-Natal, and Mpumalanga. In the remaining provinces, the party is competing in approximately 75% to 80% of municipalities. Wessels emphasized that while certain wards are more winnable than others, every vote contributes to proportional representation, allowing the party to instill correct oversight values in municipal councils nationwide.
The Coalition Reality and Political Boundaries
With less than two months until the elections, Dr. Mulder acknowledged that coalition governments are likely to become the new norm in municipalities. However, he cautioned that coalitions must be structured around service delivery, financial discipline, and accountability, rather than the division of political positions and perks.
While expressing openness to cooperating with like-minded parties among the top 10 larger political formations, Dr. Mulder explicitly ruled out any collaboration with uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC). He cited fundamental clashes in value systems, particularly regarding traditional conservative economic values, property rights, and opposition to expropriation without compensation.
Dr. Mulder also drew a sharp distinction between the current Government of National Unity (GNU) and a “true coalition.” He described the GNU as an arrangement born out of the last national election, whereas a proper coalition requires parties to sit down, negotiate a shared platform, and accommodate all members into a unified forward-looking strategy—a model he hopes to see replicated at the local level.
Addressing Socio-Economic Pressures
When questioned about rising tensions regarding undocumented individuals and calls for them to leave the country, Dr. Mulder identified the root cause as South Africa’s stagnant economy and escalating unemployment. He explained that citizen frustration stems from a lack of job opportunities, making the demand to prioritize local employment understandable.
While firmly condemning any vigilante actions against individuals, Dr. Mulder stated that the presence of undocumented people causing problems remains a legitimate issue that must be addressed through proper channels. Ultimately, he argued, the solution lies in correcting flawed economic policies, fixing municipal infrastructure to attract investment, and creating sustainable jobs, which would naturally alleviate these socio-economic pressures.
As the official program concluded, the FF Plus reaffirmed its message to the electorate: the upcoming election is a time to vote not out of habit or blind loyalty, but out of a conviction that practical, value-driven change in local government is entirely possible.
