kuGompo City, Eastern Cape – The Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) has concluded its National Elections Strategic Retreat, issuing unified campaign directives and outlining key policy positions ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.
Party President Mzwanele Nyhontso addressed delegates—including the National Executive Committee, Provincial Executive Committees, regional representatives, public officials, and election strategists from all nine provinces—emphasising that internal divisions have been resolved and the organisation is now singularly focused on contesting for power.
“This organisation is one. Maybe it is the only organization that is not fighting here in South Africa today,” Nyhontso stated, contrasting the PAC’s current unity with factional disputes affecting other parties. He confirmed the party intends to contest in all wards nationwide, though logistical considerations in remote areas may affect full coverage.
In a notable strategic move, Nyhontso announced the PAC will field mayoral candidates who are not currently party members, with membership formalised upon announcement. He cited the recent nomination of a traditional leader in Qandan as an example, adding that further surprises would follow. “We will be surprising people throughout the country,” he said.
On policy, Nyhontso reiterated the PAC’s longstanding commitment to land reform as a foundational issue. “We’ve been very consistent in telling people that land first and the rest shall follow,” he noted, adding that land has now become a central topic across South African politics.
Addressing the sensitive issue of immigration, Nyhontso condemned xenophobic protests and affirmed the party’s Pan-Africanist principle that “no African can be a foreigner in Africa.” He described current national borders as “artificial,” stemming from the 1884-85 Berlin Conference, and questioned the selective enforcement of immigration laws. “What about white people who do not have papers to be in South Africa? What about real cartels, criminals… What about Israeli businesspeople operating without proper documentation?” he asked, also referencing the assassination of ANC leader Chris Hani by a white immigrant who entered the country without scrutiny.
Regarding internal cohesion, Nyhontso described the party’s unity as “principled” rather than personality-driven. He stated the PAC was “formed to liberate our people,” not to hold unity conferences, and emphasised recruiting new members over reconciling with historical dissenters. “We know there are Facebook revolutionaries… people who still live in 1959,” he said, urging focus on service delivery.
The PAC’s service delivery priorities include infrastructure development, road maintenance, job creation, community security, and combating substance abuse among youth. Nyhontso highlighted South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis as a central concern, stating job creation in rural areas is essential to national stability.
On coalition politics, Nyhontso affirmed the PAC’s openness to post-election partnerships. “Coalitions are here to stay… We are going to work with anyone,” he said, noting the party does not “gang against others.”
While acknowledging campaign resources are “never sufficient,” Nyhontso pointed to the PAC’s uninterrupted parliamentary representation since 1994 as evidence of resilience against predictions of its demise.
The party plans to launch its formal election manifesto in August.
