Are votes for smaller parties a waste, or are the upstarts ‘challenging the established order’?
Leaders of new and ambitious political parties make their case for why they should be allowed to upset the 'status quo'.
In the upcoming 2026 local government elections, South Africans will face over 500 political options across municipal ballots, with 10 out of the 18 parties in the National Assembly founded in the 2010s or later. Despite the presence of established political parties, smaller parties argue that they bring fresh perspectives and challenge the status quo.
Archbishop Tshidisang Simon Tsie of the African Alliance Congress (AAC) emphasized that voters should not dismiss smaller parties as wasted votes, as the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) does not differentiate between "first and second divisions" in their party listings. Tsie stressed that political diversity fosters accountability, fresh ideas, and competition based on performance.
Muzi Hlengwa, the founder of African People First (APF) and eThekwini mayoral candidate, criticized the ANC for failing to address issues like land allocation and proposed a radical shift in governance, promising an end to corruption and a focus on land redistribution. The Aboriginal Gorilla Fighters (ABGF), contesting multiple wards in Cape Town, highlighted that while many parties exist, not all concerns are adequately addressed, particularly those of marginalized communities.
Angeline Goliath, ABGF's secretary-general, emphasized that every legitimate concern should be heard, and democracy should include voices that have historically been overlooked. Galtson Anthony, founder of Know Your Power (KYP) and Johannesburg's mayoral candidate, introduced a new political philosophy called "Capitalist Ubuntu," which balances economic growth with social responsibility and human dignity.
Anthony argued that KYP enters the political arena not to impose a specific ideology but to find solutions that benefit South Africa's future generations. All three parties stressed that every vote counts and that supporting smaller parties is not a wasted vote; rather, it is a way to ensure diverse representation and accountability in governance.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
