By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Rise Mzansi has unveiled Lukhona Mnguni as its City of Johannesburg mayoral candidate as the party begins its push ahead of the municipal elections.
Mnguni’s candidacy was announced officially on Saturday, 23 May 2026.
Addressing supporters, Mnguni said the upcoming local government elections should not be about the African National Congress (ANC), but about what kind of government and leadership comes next.
“We are here because we believe in this city and we want to clean it up. We have a moral and historic duty to clean up this city. The filth, the rot, the crime, the corruption, the arrogance of leaders, it all deserves to be flushed out.”
His activism stretches back to his student years at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in the late 2000s, where was part of student politics and ultimately joined the Congress of the People (Cope), which he later left.
Mnguni then pursued a master’s degree in the United Kingdom, and from 2022, he served as the acting executive director and head of policy and research at Rivonia Circle, a non-profit think-tank and civil society organisation.
ATM Manifesto Launch
The African Transformation Movement (ATM) launched its manifesto for the November 4 Local Government Elections in KuGompo.
The gathering was led by ATM President Professor Ceasar Nongqunga and parliamentary leader Vuyo Zungula at the Buffalo City Stadium in KuGompo (East London), Eastern Cap
The party’s campaign is built on five pillars: peace, Ubuntu, servant leadership, accountability, and responsiveness to the public.
The manifesto prioritizes capable and accountable municipalities that focus on local economic development and improving services.
ATM parliamentary leader challenged Members of Parliament (MP) to stop shielding president Cyril Ramaphosa over Phala Phala matter.
Zungula accused Ramaphosa of deceiving the nation over the Phala Phala scandal, urging fellow MPs to follow their conscience and vote to impeach the president.
National Assembly Speaker, Thoko Didiza, has outlined the next step in the National Assembly process on the composition of the Impeachment Committee, in accordance with section 89 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
Political parties represented in the National Assembly have now been requested to submit the names of Members who will serve on the committee to the National Assembly Secretariat by the close of business on Friday, 22 May 2026.
Parliament said the Speaker considered both proportional representation and inclusivity in determining the composition of the committee.
The impeachment committee will comprise 31 members drawn from the 16 political parties represented in the National Assembly.
The African National Congress (ANC) will have nine members, followed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) with five and the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party with three.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) will have two members, while the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Patriotic Alliance (PA), Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus), ActionSA, African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), United Democratic Movement (UDM), RISE Mzansi, Build One South Africa (BOSA), African Transformation Movement (ATM), Al Jama-ah, National Coloured Congress (NCC) and United Africans Transformation (UAT) will each have one representative.
FF Plus Election Poster
The Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) launched its voter registration campaign for the municipal elections in Centurion, Pretoria.
The campaign slogan is “Dis Ons Tyd” (It’s Our Time).
Party leader Corné Mulder addressed the gathering, stating that municipalities are collapsing due to corruption and incompetence.
With the elections drawing closer, the FF Plus voter registration drive is already gaining attention. Corne believes that when people register and vote, they are saying it really is their time to help change South Africa for the better.
Many towns and cities are still recovering from years of service-delivery problems. FF Plus sees this as its moment to grow its presence in councils where it already serves as part of coalitions or opposition.
DA Limpopo Provincial Congress
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo has elected its Provincial leadership that will take the party into the 2026 Local Government Elections.
Delegates gathered at Bolivia Lodge in Polokwane to elect the new leadership.
The elected leadership is as follows:
- Provincial Leader – Jacques Smalle
- Provincial Deputy Leader – Glanda Furumele
- Provincial Chairperson – Beyers Smit
- Provincial Deputy Chairpersons:1st Deputy Chairperson – Portia Moropane, 2nd Deputy Chairperson – Dingaan Motshwene, 3rd Deputy Chairperson -Mashudu Mariba
These are the leaders ready to serve the people of Limpopo and trusted by delegates to take the party to the Local Government Elections to be held on 4 November 2026.