By ASANDA NINI
The ANC in the Eastern Cape will have its work cut out in the upcoming local government elections as smaller parties crop up to eat into an already stretched electorate.
But it will be a case of David against Goliath when the ANC wrestles for council control with relatively unknown political parties and civic movements.
This comes as the ruling party is facing major challenges within – with hundreds of members sidelined in the recent election list processes, standing as independent candidates.
A final provincial candidates list released by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) last week, shows that various municipalities will see the emergence of new formations.
In most big councils, it will be a battle between the usual suspects, including first-timers the EFF.
The following will be the hotly contested municipalities:
- King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality
This is one of the local councils in which the ruling party has a major challenge.
The newly formed Mthatha Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association (MRRA), which has membership both in town and rural areas, wants to take control of the controversial municipality. MRRA is mainly composed of ANC members and those from other parties, such as the UDM.
This is one of the hotly contested councils in the province. Disgruntled SACP members decided to break away and contest the elections under the SACP banner. But their plans fell flat after the IEC disqualified them.
The only council where former ANC MPL Mkhangeli Matomela’s Kingdom Governance Movement will contest. They are fielding candidates in six wards
Matomela, a devout Christian, established the party in early 2014 after he resigned as both ANC MPL and party member.
It was reported that Matomela left the ANC after he described his longtime political home as “anti-Christ”.
In the area where 15 independent candidates, some former staunch ANC members, will compete, the United Front will also be flexing their muscles. The Congress of the People also made its mark in the municipality, while the UDM also enjoys support from many villages.
The local authority is made up of three towns, Sterkspruit, Lady Grey and Barkly East. The ANC will be opposed by the Sterkspruit Civic Association (SCA).
The new kids on the block here will be the People’s Alliance which will compete for three wards and four PR seats.
In the soon to be merged Tsolwana, Inkwanca, and Lukhanji municipalities, the Independent Ratepayers Association of South Africa will flex their muscle in 36 wards, while Vryheidsfront Plus will also be in the picture in most of the wards.
Here a new religious formation called His Lordship to Save and Lead Party will contest the elections.
Other than the usual suspects, ADM will see a new political party in the form of the United Residents Front.
In the area, the Independent Ratepayers Association of South Africa will try for a council seat for the first time. — asandan@dispatch.co.za
David vs Goliath election battle
The ANC in the Eastern Cape will have its work cut out in the upcoming local government elections as smaller parties crop up to eat into an already stretched electorate.
But it will be a case of David against Goliath when the ANC wrestles for council control with relatively unknown political parties and civic movements.
This comes as the ruling party is facing major challenges within – with hundreds of members sidelined in the recent election list processes, standing as independent candidates.
A final provincial candidates list released by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) last week, shows that various municipalities will see the emergence of new formations.
In most big councils, it will be a battle between the usual suspects, including first-timers the EFF.
The following will be the hotly contested municipalities:
This is one of the local councils in which the ruling party has a major challenge.
The newly formed Mthatha Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association (MRRA), which has membership both in town and rural areas, wants to take control of the controversial municipality. MRRA is mainly composed of ANC members and those from other parties, such as the UDM.
This is one of the hotly contested councils in the province. Disgruntled SACP members decided to break away and contest the elections under the SACP banner. But their plans fell flat after the IEC disqualified them.
The only council where former ANC MPL Mkhangeli Matomela’s Kingdom Governance Movement will contest. They are fielding candidates in six wards
Matomela, a devout Christian, established the party in early 2014 after he resigned as both ANC MPL and party member.
It was reported that Matomela left the ANC after he described his longtime political home as “anti-Christ”.
In the area where 15 independent candidates, some former staunch ANC members, will compete, the United Front will also be flexing their muscles. The Congress of the People also made its mark in the municipality, while the UDM also enjoys support from many villages.
The local authority is made up of three towns, Sterkspruit, Lady Grey and Barkly East. The ANC will be opposed by the Sterkspruit Civic Association (SCA).
The new kids on the block here will be the People’s Alliance which will compete for three wards and four PR seats.
In the soon to be merged Tsolwana, Inkwanca, and Lukhanji municipalities, the Independent Ratepayers Association of South Africa will flex their muscle in 36 wards, while Vryheidsfront Plus will also be in the picture in most of the wards.
Here a new religious formation called His Lordship to Save and Lead Party will contest the elections.
Other than the usual suspects, ADM will see a new political party in the form of the United Residents Front.
In the area, the Independent Ratepayers Association of South Africa will try for a council seat for the first time. — asandan@dispatch.co.za
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