SOWETO, GAUTENG — The Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) has officially unveiled its Local Government Election Manifesto in Soweto, marking a symbolic return to the historic township where the party was established 67 years ago. Leading the strategic rollout, PAC President and Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development Mzwanele Nyhontso outlined a robust governance vision centered on accelerated land redistribution, localized economic revitalization, and strict municipal accountability ahead of the November 4 polls.
During the launch, Nyhontso positioned the land question as the cornerstone of the party’s platform. He emphasized that local municipalities must proactively release controlled land to facilitate dignified housing, eliminate decades-long housing waiting lists, and guarantee security of tenure to prevent community evictions. By anchoring job creation and rural development at the municipal level, the PAC aims to reverse the economic migration of citizens to major metropolitan centers.
Defending the current administration’s delivery record, Nyhontso highlighted recent milestones in national land reform. He noted that the department redistributed more than 250,000 hectares of land in the previous financial year alone. Furthermore, he stated that the department surpassed its target of 35,000 agricultural land allocations, reaching 58,000. Moving beyond mere title deed transfers, the minister stressed a new paradigm of comprehensive post-settlement support.
To illustrate this approach, Nyhontso cited a successful agricultural initiative in the Northwest province involving a blueberry and strawberry farm. The government facilitated a joint venture with the previous owners, provided essential funding, and committed to a 5- to 10-year capacity-building program. This initiative includes funding the beneficiaries’ children through university-level education, ensuring they are fully equipped to independently manage and sustain the agricultural enterprise long-term.
Addressing the legal frameworks surrounding land acquisition, Nyhontso defended the recently signed Expropriation Act as a necessary and more equitable replacement for the draconian 1975 legislation. He clarified that modern expropriation involves structured due process, court engagement, and price negotiations, making “nil compensation” a rare occurrence. He specifically identified vacant, well-located properties owned by absentee foreign landlords—such as those residing in Germany or the United States—as prime candidates for expropriation. These parcels, he argued, should be repurposed for the public good, such as constructing essential clinics and schools.
The manifesto launch also contextualized the PAC’s broader electoral strategy. Following the 2024 general elections, where the party secured 0.23% of the national vote and one seat in the National Assembly, Nyhontso framed those results as a foundational stepping stone for rebuilding the party’s support base with an eye on the 2029 national polls. Demonstrating immediate ambition for the November 4 local elections, the PAC has executed a record-breaking candidate rollout. The party has registered over 5,000 candidates in total, including no fewer than 2,500 ward councilors. This represents a massive expansion, as the PAC is now contesting across all nine provinces and every metropolitan municipality—a stark contrast to previous cycles where the party contested no more than 20 municipalities.
Navigating the complexities of the current Government of National Unity (GNU), Nyhontso addressed the party’s dual role as both a coalition partner and an active electoral competitor. He asserted that while the PAC is vigorously contesting for power and votes against political rivals, it remains committed to mature, constructive governance post-election.
Looking toward the first 100 days of potential local governance, the PAC pledged to deploy highly competent, community-embedded councilors. Nyhontso promised an end to the trend of elected officials relocating to affluent urban areas, insisting that PAC representatives will reside in the same wards they serve, ensuring they remain directly accountable to the daily realities and plight of their constituents.
