EAST LONDON, Eastern Cape — The Eastern Cape elections are shaping up to be a fierce battleground for opposition parties, with the United Democratic Movement (UDM) and African Transformation Movement (ATM) officially launching their manifestos to challenge the ruling government on systemic corruption and service delivery failures.
Political campaigning is expected to go into full swing as Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister Velenkosi Hlabisa is scheduled to proclaim the official election date today. Within the province, the Buffalo City Metro and Nelson Mandela Bay Metro are anticipated to be among the most hotly contested areas in the upcoming local government polls.
Both the UDM and ATM unveiled their political blueprints in KuGompo City, making their intentions to capture the metro clear. A central theme for both parties is the alleged disregard for the rule of law by provincial municipalities, which they argue severely limits the delivery of critical services to residents. By strategically utilizing core governance challenges, both parties aim to hold the national government accountable and eradicate the looting of state funds.
UDM President Bantu Holomisa outlined a platform built on strict consequence management and basic service restoration.
“No municipality can succeed if residents do not have reliable access to water, sanitation, electricity, roads, and refuse removal,” Holomisa stated, emphasizing the necessity of functioning public infrastructure. He added that “clean governance and financial discipline” are vital, noting that “corruption, maladministration, and wasteful expenditure are stealing the resources that should be improving the lives of our people.”
Grassroots UDM supporters echoed these sentiments, expressing a desire for tangible improvements such as government RDP housing, employment opportunities, and food parcels. Many voiced their hope that the party’s leadership, affectionately referring to Holomisa as “the general,” will secure a victory to enact real change. Supporters also urged party members to avoid internal divisions and focus on building the organization to secure more municipal seats.
Meanwhile, the ATM is leaning heavily on its track record of challenging the state, including its prominent role in the Phala Phala saga and national budget debates. ATM Parliamentary Leader Vuyo Zungula stressed that a vote for his party is a vote for strict constitutional adherence.
“People must vote ATM knowing very well that there’s a constitution in our country, and we must be guided by that constitution,” Zungula said. He criticized current councils for failing to follow the Municipal Structures Act, promising that the ATM “is going to follow the law to the tea.”
ATM supporters expressed confidence in Zungula’s ability to govern with transparency and accountability. Praising him as a leader who “speaks sense” to parliament and advocates for the youth, supporters believe the party is uniquely positioned to advance the lives of South Africans in a government they feel currently neglects its citizens.
Looking ahead, both political parties are expected to announce their mayoral and electoral candidates shortly. The UDM is slated to hold its provincial list conference for the Eastern Cape this weekend to finalize its candidates for the ballot.
