RUSTENBURG, North West — The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has officially launched its Local Government Elections (LGE) 2026 campaign in Rustenburg, setting its sights on securing its first-ever municipal and provincial legislature seats in the North West province.
Since the previous local elections, the party has streamlined its manifesto into a focused national five-point plan. While retaining core historical policies, the updated framework heavily emphasizes topical issues, particularly the empowerment of women, children, and persons with disabilities.
Although the IFP has historically struggled to gain a strong political foothold in the North West—never previously securing seats in the region’s municipalities or provincial legislature—party spokespersons remain optimistic. They argue that their targeted five-point plan, combined with years of deteriorating service delivery in the province, creates fertile ground for finally winning council seats.
Highlighting the dire local conditions, an IFP spokesperson noted that the problems facing the province are impossible to ignore. “You don’t even need to look for issues. They are staring you in the face,” the spokesperson stated, pointing out that communities rarely have access to water. The spokesperson clarified that this shortage is not due to natural disasters, but rather a lack of political will to bring water to communities. The spokesperson also highlighted the severe state of local infrastructure, noting that regional roads are heavily damaged by potholes.
IFP supporters in the region expressed confidence that their voices will finally be heard through the party’s candidates. Local residents emphasized the urgent need for youth development facilities. They urged future councillors to establish community halls or homes where young people can engage in constructive activities, such as drama and forming bands, to keep children off the streets. Additionally, supporters highlighted the critical need for localized healthcare, noting that unemployed elders are currently forced to walk long distances to reach the nearest clinics and lack the means to get there.
IFP councillor candidates believe their grassroots work will translate into tangible change on the streets. Addressing the visible decay in the Ditsobotla municipality, candidates pointed out the mounting refuse and lack of basic services.
“There’s a lot of rubbish that has piled up, but we do have a municipality,” a candidate remarked, emphasizing the failure of local leadership. “That’s not service to the people.” The candidate urged the residents of Ditsobotla to make the right decision at the ballot box on the fourth.
Securing a victory in the North West would represent a significant breakthrough and a welcome reprieve for the IFP and its dedicated supporters in the region.
