AMATHOLE, EASTERN CAPE — As the countdown to the 2026 Local Government Elections (LGE 2026) intensifies, Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) President Mzwanele Nyhontso has set his sights on securing an outright victory in the Mnquma Local Municipality. Campaigning in the Amathole region of the Eastern Cape, Nyhontso unveiled the party’s mayoral candidate and outlined an aggressive strategy to transform local governance in the rural district.
Speaking to supporters in the area, Nyhontso officially introduced Nkosi Phathuxolo Tyali—also known locally as Chief Charlie—as the PAC’s mayoral candidate for the Mnquma Municipality. Nkosi Tyali, a local traditional leader representing ward 26, was presented to his community to formally accept the mandate to represent the people and restore service delivery.
Currently, the PAC holds only two council seats in the Mnquma Municipality, an area politically dominated by the ANC, with the United Democratic Movement (UDM) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) also holding representation. However, Nyhontso expressed absolute confidence in a massive electoral surge, dismissing doubts about the party’s local dominance.
“I do dominate. Just look outside,” Nyhontso stated, emphasizing the party’s ambitious goal to jump from two councilors to more than 32 to win the municipality outright.
The party’s electoral ambitions extend far beyond a single municipality. The PAC plans to contest all wards within Mnquma and all local municipalities under the broader Amathole district. Furthermore, the party is contesting in more than 80% of municipalities across the Eastern Cape. Nyhontso highlighted the strategic importance of participating in hung municipalities where there is no outright winner, asserting the principle that there must be “nothing about us without us” regarding local governance.
Addressing the socio-economic challenges of the region, Nyhontso acknowledged that Mnquma is a rural municipality grappling with prevalent poverty, high unemployment, and elevated crime rates. The PAC’s campaign promises center on revitalizing the local economy through targeted rural development and agriculture. By focusing on these sectors, the party aims to drive food production, create sustainable jobs, and restore security to the communities.
With the elections rapidly approaching, Nyhontso noted that by the 4th of December, it would only be a matter of days before the party changes the government in the Mnquma Municipality and other targeted areas throughout the country.
