Economic Freedom Fighters to contest selected wards for 2026 local government elections

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have announced their intention to contest selected wards in the upcoming 2026 local government elections, aiming to strengthen their presence in municipalities across South Africa.

During the party’s manifesto launch and 13th anniversary celebrations held at Thohoyandou Stadium in Limpopo, EFF leader Julius Malema unveiled the party’s strategic approach to the polls. Malema emphasized that the party is prepared to offer voters a clear alternative to current municipal governance, focusing on service delivery and the restoration of dignity to local government.

The EFF in Ekurhuleni has made sure that it gives our people dignified sanitation and water. The EFF stabilised the finances of Ekurhuleni.

As part of their campaign strategy, the party has also introduced its mayoral candidates for the country’s eight metropolitan municipalities. Among the notable selections, Dr. Tlaleng Mofokeng has been named as the mayoral candidate for the City of Johannesburg, while Treasurer-General Omphile Maotwe will lead the campaign in Tshwane.

Malema stated that the party’s manifesto serves as a five-year commitment to building municipalities that prioritize the needs of the people. With the elections approaching, the EFF is positioning itself to address issues such as infrastructure decay, unemployment, and corruption, framing the upcoming vote as a critical referendum on the future of local governance in the country.