The Free State Metro and Lejweleputswa district municipality are among the municipalities reported to have failed to submit the ANC’s nominated candidate lists to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) for the upcoming 4 November local government elections. Three municipalities are reportedly affected in the Eastern Cape and one in KwaZulu-Natal.

In a television interview on Wednesday (2/9), ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu confirmed Mangaung Metro and uMshwathi in KZN were among the municipalities affected. The development could prove particularly damaging for the ANC in Mangaung, one of only two remaining metropolitan municipalities in which the governing party still holds an outright majority. The ANC currently holds 51 of Mangaung’s 101 council seats, giving it 50.63% support.

Against this backdrop, Mbalula is expected to embark on a high-powered campaign trail in the province, culminating in a regional manifesto rally aimed at galvanising support ahead of the elections. The ANC Free State says the visit is part of its efforts to project an image of renewal and reconnect with voters amid mounting pressure over local government performance.

“This provincial blitz stands as a forceful demonstration of the ANC’s commitment to renewal, unity and absolute prioritisation of the people’s needs. Comrade Mbalula’s visit is anchored by the theme Fixing Local Government and Transforming the Economy,” said ANC Free State spokesperson Thabo Meeko.

On Friday (4/9), Mbalula is expected to deliver the keynote address at the ANC Free State fundraising dinner at Bloemfontein City Hall at 18:00.

On Saturday, the ANC secretary general is expected to hold a briefing session at Monyakeng in Ward 35 as part of his election trail in Maluti-a-Phofung at 10:00. This will be followed by a door-to-door campaign in Makwane from 10:40 until 11:40, where he is expected to engage directly with residents on service delivery issues.

A community meeting will then be held at the Makwane open field and Namahadi in Ward 18 between 11:50 and 14:30.

Mbalula will conclude his Free State visit on Sunday with a regional manifesto rally in Lejweleputswa. The programme includes a briefing session for deployed officials and alliance partners at 11:30, followed by the regional manifesto rally at JC Motumi Technical School in Kutlwanong Ward 10 from 12:00 to 15:00.

His visit comes just a week after the ANC’s campaign trail in Mangaung was led by first deputy secretary general Nomvula Mokonyane. During her visit, Mokonyane said successful candidates would be expected to reconnect with communities within their first 30 days in office, establish support structures for ward councillors and ward committees, and assess existing integrated development plans to identify priorities aligned with the ANC manifesto.

“The mayor will be expected to interact in the 30 days with civil society to say, ‘I’m here.’ Reality is, we have an IDP that is still operational,” she said.

Mokonyane said mayors would also be expected to identify projects that could be implemented quickly and ensure communities saw tangible progress within their first 100 days. Her message comes as the ANC attempts to convince voters it can reverse years of criticism over service delivery and municipal governance.

In Mangaung, current mayor Gregory Nthatisi is among the eight mayoral candidates announced by the ANC for the metro. The others are Thabo Manyoni, Bongani Lawrence Mathae, Theodorah Mosala-Leeuw, Lulama Otidi-titi, Malebo Sekhopi, Vusimozi Simon Sogaqa and Motshewa Martha Tladi.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi sm

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