{
  "id": 11901511,
  "title": "Political parties target untapped North West electorates",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/political-parties-target-untapped-north-west-electorates",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-04T09:50:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/political-parties-target-untapped-north-west-electorates/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Several newly formed political parties in the North West district of Ngaka Modiri Molema are confident they can reshape the local government landscape in the province if elected into councils during the upcoming local government elections. Bophuthatswana Civil Movement and African Revolutionary Council will contest in nine and eight municipalities respectively, while the African Spear Movement, founded by former Ngaka Modiri Molema district Speaker and ANC member Tebogo Ramashilabele, plans to contest in more than ten municipalities. The North West province consists of 22 municipalities, four districts, and 18 local municipalities.\n\nAs the campaigns gear up for the local government elections on the 4th of the following month, these new entrants are striving to gain traction despite limited resources. Bophuthatswana Civil Movement president Kagiso Monyadiwa and African Spear Movement president Tebogo Ramashilabele have both pledged to address issues like corruption and road maintenance in municipalities. Monyadiwa pointed out corruption as a major deterrent in the delivery of basic services, while Ramashilabele emphasized the party's commitment to \"recover, reclaim, and own what belongs to the people of this province.\"\n\nThe African Revolutionary Council has pledged to abolish the tender system, which it claims is the root of corruption in municipalities. The party's president, Lucky Kgabi, outlined their approach, emphasizing people-centered municipalities, quality services, proper infrastructure maintenance, and the elimination of the tendering system. Dr Arthur Shopola, a local government expert from North-West University, suggests that new political parties in the North West could become kingmakers after the November elections, potentially wielding significant influence in local councils. Over 70 political parties and over 50 independent candidates are expected to participate in this year's elections in the North West.",
  "summary": "Many municipalities in the province are experiencing a collapse in basic services",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}