GAUTENG — The Freedom Front Plus is actively expanding its political footprint into townships traditionally viewed as ANC strongholds ahead of the November 2026 local government elections. This strategic shift sees the party fielding prominent former African National Congress (ANC) figures to challenge the ruling party in its own backyard, signaling a potential realignment in local voter sentiment.
Siphiwe Mhlongo, the former ANC branch chairperson in Mabopane outside Pretoria, and Daniel Makgobola, a long-time ANC member in Soweto, will contest the upcoming elections under the Freedom Front Plus banner. Both men represent a growing demographic of Black voters seeking alternative political leadership.
Despite the Freedom Front Plus’s historical association with Afrikaner self-determination and its opposition to Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and Affirmative Action, the newly recruited candidates argue that the party is best positioned to resolve years of poor governance and service delivery failures.
Mhlongo described his defection as a practical necessity rather than a fashionable political move. He emphasized the urgent need to create jobs, improve township safety, and foster local economic development so that communities can build their own economies without relying solely on government subsidies. Addressing the party’s stance on BEE and Affirmative Action, Mhlongo stated that South Africa belongs to all who live in it. He advocated for an inclusive economy that integrates white citizens rather than isolating them due to historical grievances, arguing that true economic progress requires collaboration rather than division.
On the ground, residents are echoing these sentiments. Frustrated by deplorable living conditions and a lack of basic services, some community members are pinning their hopes on the party’s candidates. One resident, who switched allegiance from the ANC to the Freedom Front Plus, expressed hope for reliable water and better roads connecting their area to the Hebron Mall and Texas precincts, alongside promises of job creation for the youth. Another resident criticized the ANC for becoming complacent, stating that the ruling party no longer monitors local issues and has become comfortable with the status quo.
FF Plus chairperson Wouter Wessels defended the party’s expansion into these areas, noting that reaching out to diverse communities is not a new phenomenon. He pointed out that since the 2016 municipal elections, the party has steadily attracted candidates from various backgrounds who wish to promote the Freedom Front Plus’s values to improve the livelihoods of all citizens.
Wessels strongly rejected what he called “propaganda lies” that the party is exclusionary. He insisted that their constitution, policies, and daily actions reflect a commitment to a South Africa that works for everyone, dispelling myths about the party’s identity.
Founded by the former chief of the apartheid South African Defense Force, the Freedom Front Plus is increasingly positioning itself as a viable home for disillusioned voters. As the November polls approach, the party’s success in winning hearts and minds in the ANC’s traditional backyard could redefine the local electoral landscape.
