NKOMAZI, Mpumalanga — The Labour Party of South Africa (LP) has officially launched its manifesto for the 2026 Local Government Elections, setting out a clear agenda to address service delivery failures and unemployment in poverty-stricken municipalities. Speaking at the launch in Mzinti, Nkomazi, the party’s leadership detailed a comprehensive seven-point pledge aimed at restoring basic services and professionalizing local governance ahead of the November 2026 polls.
A Seven-Point Pledge for Service Delivery
Acting Secretary-General Gift Antonio outlined the core promises the party is taking to voters, emphasizing that the manifesto focuses on actionable pledges rather than empty promises. The key pillars of the Labour Party’s manifesto include:
- Restoring Reliable Basic Services: Guaranteeing consistent water, sanitation, electricity, waste removal, and functional infrastructure.
- Auditing Municipal Land: Reviewing municipality-owned land to earmark specific areas for special housing development.
- Rebuilding Public Infrastructure: Prioritizing the repair and maintenance of essential public works.
- Creating Decent Jobs: Eliminating unnecessary tenders and converting those roles into permanent, reliable employment.
- Ensuring Safer Streets: Prioritizing functional streetlights and collaborating with the South African Police Service (SAPS) for regular patrols to protect vulnerable groups, particularly women and children.
- Professionalizing Local Government: Ensuring municipal jobs are deployed based on skills and professionalism rather than political deployment.
Election Scope and Strategic Strongholds
The Labour Party is mounting a significant national campaign, contesting in all nine provinces. Antonio confirmed the party will target four of the eight metropolitan municipalities, specifically highlighting the City of Johannesburg, the City of Ekurhuleni, and Mangaung. He noted that the party’s strength in metros like Ekurhuleni and Mangaung relies heavily on their established mining footprints.
Furthermore, the party will contest in between 43 and 45 of the 205 local municipalities and field candidates in 1,548 of the 4,488 available wards. The campaign is backed by a robust structure of over 300 councillor candidates.
Regarding post-election strategy, Antonio stated that the party is willing to work with other political entities, provided they share similar ambitions. He noted that any coalition or partnership decisions will depend on election results and the specific mandates given by victorious ward communities.
Union Roots and Working-Class Focus
Party President Joseph Mathunjwa, who also serves as the president of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMU), emphasized the party’s deep working-class roots. Born from a 2023 AMU resolution to secure direct representation in government, the Labour Party is positioning itself as the definitive voice for the unemployed, mine workers, cleaners, and the broader working class.
“Before becoming a worker, you are from the community,” Mathunjwa stated, highlighting the stark disconnect between workplace conditions and community living standards. He stressed the need to ensure clean running water and job creation within municipalities, bringing the same organizational energy demonstrated in labor movements to local government.
Community Demands for Change
The manifesto launch comes as residents in areas like Nkomazi express deep frustration over a lack of basic amenities. Supporters at the rally echoed the party’s platform, citing critical needs for reliable water supply, better roads, electricity, and youth employment.
With the 2026 Local Government Elections on the horizon, the Labour Party’s strategy hinges on aligning with communities that share these urgent demands, leveraging its union-backed foundation to deliver tangible changes to the working class.
