New political parties aim to disrupt established ones in LGE
The 2026 Local Government Elections are expected to produce the highest number of hung councils.
New political parties are set to vie against established parties in the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) in KwaZulu-Natal. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) anticipates a surge in the number of parties contesting the polls, surpassing the 78 recorded in 2021. Many of these parties are comprised of dissidents from larger political entities.
One such party is Jozini Congress, largely composed of former Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) members, who aim to upset the status quo in the northern district of uMkhanyakude. These emerging parties are gaining traction by appealing to disillusioned councillors who feel marginalized by the larger parties. Jozini Congress, spearheaded by former IFP councillor and local businessman Sibonelo Mathenjwa, seeks to address the grievances of the rural populace, who have been disenfranchised by empty pledges and lack of essential services.
Despite facing early setbacks within the IFP, Mathenjwa maintains confidence in his party's prospects. The 2026 Local Government Elections are poised to yield fragmented results, with coalition governments more likely to take shape, presenting an opportunity for smaller parties to wield influence. Political analysts predict that new parties will play a significant part in these outcomes, especially in smaller municipalities where voters are clamoring for improved service delivery.
As the submission deadline for party lists and registration documents approaches, the stage is set for a pivotal election where the performance of these upstart parties will be put to the test.
Written by urgent.news from SABC News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
