By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) launched their 2026 local government election manifesto and celebrated their 13th anniversary at the Thohoyandou Stadium in Limpopo on July 25, 2026.
Party leader Julius Malema addressed thousands of supporters, focusing on upcoming municipal elections, youth unemployment and workers rights.
He unveiled the party’s plans and outlined the following key focus points:
- Service Delivery Focus
- Municipal Accountability
- Employment & Economic Opportunities
- Infrastructure & Dignity
- Gender Equality & Safety
- Youth-Centred Approach
The manifesto further promises strengthened healthcare through community health committees in every ward, early disease detection programmes and better-equipped clinics.
Malema cited municipalities where the EFF has previously governed or participated in coalition governments, including Ekurhuleni, Tshwane and Nelson Mandela Bay, claiming the party had improved sanitation, stabilised municipal finances, renovated clinics, expanded access to water and electricity, and reduced debt owed by poor communities.
“Our commitments are not empty promises. They are practical and measurable. We know our people are tired of promises. We are presenting a five-year commitment to build municipalities that deliver services with integrity,” he said.
He said that if the EFF wins power in the upcoming local government elections, municipalities under its leadership will employ workers directly instead of relying on contractors.
Malema said that current practice of outsourcing everyday municipal services often disadvantages workers by denying them job security and employment benefits.
“We are going to build internal capacity and in-source all the workers. Everyone who works in a municipality of the EFF will be employed directly by that particular municipality. We don’t want tenders. We want people to work directly, have an appointment letter, a medical aid, pension fund and also leave days,” said Malema.
The EFF leader said municipalities had collapsed, but argued that municipalities should be given more funds to solve service delivery issues.
“We want more money for local government, because it is local government that deals directly with our people,” Malema said.
Malema also announced the names of those who will stake the party’s claim for mayoral leadership positions across the country:
- Buffalo City Mayor – Mkhululi Dlevu
- Nelson Mandela Metro mayor – Sinawo Thambo.
- King Sabata Dalindyebo – Ncedo Kolanisi.
- Mangaung Metro – Sam Matiase.
- Ekurhuleni Metro – Nthabiseng Tshivenga.
- Tshwane Metro – Treasurer General, Omphile Maotwe.
- Johannesburg Metro – Dr. Tlaleng Mofokeng.
- eThekwini Metro – Hlengiwe Mkhaliphi.
- uMsunduzi – Stanley Mncwabe
- Polokwane – Lawrence Mapoulo
- City of Mbombela – Deputy President Godrich Gardee
- Rustenburg – Israel Monaise
- Sol Plaatjie – Lerato Tito
- Cape Town Metro – National Chairperson Nontando Nolutshungo
In the 2016 municipal polls, the ANC had nearly 54% of the national vote, the DA 27% and the EFF 8%. In 2021 the EFF has grown steadily while the DA has lost some ground in its traditional strongholds.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) will host the final national voter registration weekend, scheduled for 01–02 August 2026, as preparations intensify for 04 November 2026 Local Government Elections.
Eligible South Africans will have the final opportunity to register to vote, verify their voter registration status, and update their registration details, including their residential addresses where necessary.
The final voter registration weekend builds on the success of the first registration weekend, during which the Commission processed about 2.9 million voter registration transactions.
It also marks an important milestone in the Commission’s electoral programme, signalling the transition from election preparation to election implementation as the country moves closer to the day of elections.