RUSTENBURG, North West — The Seriti le Kaelo (SLK) Party has officially launched its manifesto for the 2026 Local Government Elections (LGE 2026) in the North West, marking its first major public outline of a vision aimed at restoring dignity and improving service delivery in the province.
The weekend saw multiple political parties rolling out their manifestos across the North West, including the United Christian Democratic Party (UCDP) in Lehurutshe and the newly formed SLK in Rustenburg.
Speaking at Monahaneng Stadium, SLK President Kagiso Seleke—a former ANC member and Ward 25 councillor candidate for the Rustenburg Local Municipality—introduced the party’s leadership to the public. He was joined by the Deputy President, who is serving as the mayoral candidate for Rustenburg, the party’s chairman, and Mr. Monah, the mayoral candidate for the Moses Kotane Local Municipality.
The independent party is contesting in three municipalities: Kgetlengrivier, Rustenburg, and Moses Kotane. Seleke emphasized that the party’s name translates to a call for “dignity and direction,” aiming to revive the dignity of communities that have grown tired of poor service delivery over the past few years.
“The faces that are here are not new to governance… they are community-based leaders who have been living with the communities,” Seleke stated. Describing the candidates as “sons of the soil,” he noted that they deeply understand local needs and are simply asking for the opportunity to shape a government that truly serves its people.
While the party’s five-year contract is built on eight pillars, Seleke highlighted several immediate, practical solutions during the launch. Addressing the crisis of dirty water, particularly in the Moses Kotane area where residents struggle to find adequate boreholes, the party promises alternative solutions to ensure clean water access. On infrastructure, SLK proposes a shift from temporary pothole fixes to replacing damaged roads with durable pavement for sustainable, long-term maintenance.
Job creation remains a critical focus, especially in Rustenburg, known as the platinum hub, which currently faces some of the highest unemployment rates in the province. Seleke advocated for diversifying the local economy beyond mining by investing in sectors like the creative industry. This, he argued, will create a conducive environment for new industries and prevent towns from becoming “ghost towns” when mines eventually close.
Furthermore, the party plans to eliminate the “50-kilometer radius red tape” that currently restricts job allocation. Seleke argued that this exclusionary practice disproportionately affects young people in surrounding villages and townships, creating inequality in mining job access. He urged the youth to head to the polls and vote for new voices to advocate for their needs.
Addressing the likelihood of coalition governments in the upcoming LGE 2026, Seleke noted that if the party does not secure an outright majority, it will actively seek partnerships with like-minded parties.
“We won’t rush; we will definitely have a deeper and strategic engagement,” he explained, adding that the focus of any coalition would remain strictly on community needs rather than individual or party egos. Seleke confirmed that the party is already engaging with other political entities and will thoroughly evaluate potential partners should the opportunity to co-govern arise.
