Overview
- The EFF used its 13th anniversary rally at Thohoyandou Stadium to launch its 2026 local-government manifesto and name mayoral candidates for eight metropolitan municipalities.
- Leader Julius Malema outlined a municipal turnaround plan that prioritises refuse collection, insourcing municipal workers, free basic services for vulnerable residents, and a five-year commitment to fix local service delivery.
- The party introduced a discipline oath for council candidates and said it has completed key election preparations in Limpopo while stepping up voter registration and turnout drives.
- High-profile picks include Dr Tlaleng Mofokong for Johannesburg, Nontando Nolutshungu for Cape Town and Omphile Maotwe for Tshwane, a slate the EFF says shows it is ready to govern local councils.
- Analysts note the practical test will be whether the EFF can turn promises into measurable improvements in water, sanitation and waste services and win outright control of municipalities rather than acting as a coalition kingmaker.