EAST LONDON, Eastern Cape — The United Democratic Movement (UDM) has officially unveiled Nqabayomzi Kwankwa as its Buffalo City mayoral candidate, with party leader Bantu Holomisa championing a platform of ethical governance and improved service delivery ahead of the November local government elections.
Addressing a crowd of supporters in Phakamisa, Holomisa introduced the UDM deputy president as a “son of the soil” who possesses the necessary experience to turnaround the municipality. According to Holomisa, Kwankwa is not a political opportunist arriving solely for the election cycle, but rather a principled, tried-and-tested leader who has served the community and represented the party in parliament.
“He understands governance, understands public accountability, and he understands that leadership is ultimately about service,” Holomisa told the rally, emphasizing that Kwankwa’s deep local roots make him the ideal figurehead to tackle systemic corruption and restore public trust.
Accepting the nomination, Kwankwa outlined a rigorous vision for the metro, stating that meaningful change begins with eradicating corruption and ensuring that municipal departments are staffed by highly capable officials. He framed the upcoming election as a profound duty to every demographic in the region, specifically highlighting the struggles of the working class and vulnerable populations.
“It is a responsibility to the young person looking for work. It is a responsibility to the pensioner who struggles to pay municipal accounts. It is a responsibility to the business owner trying to keep their doors open,” Kwankwa stated. “It is a responsibility to every family that expects clean water, reliable electricity, safe streets, and functioning public services.”
The announcement comes as the party seeks to build on recent, rapid electoral momentum. Holomisa noted that in a recent by-election, the UDM’s local support surged from approximately 1% to 16% in under two weeks, a growth trajectory achieved despite highly limited campaign resources.
Capitalizing on this shifting political landscape, the Phakamisa gathering also served as a high-profile platform to welcome new members and defectors, primarily crossing the floor from the African National Congress (ANC). Among the notable figures officially welcomed into the UDM fold were community leader Mr. Luli and Mrs. Kanya Sabula, a prominent vocalist and youth cultural figure. Holomisa praised their defections as a powerful statement of confidence in the UDM’s future.
Reinforcing the party’s broader social mandate, Holomisa declared that patriotism is not the exclusive property of any single political organization, but belongs to all citizens willing to build a better country for future generations.
Following the Phakamisa rally, the UDM leadership scheduled immediate subsequent engagements specifically focused on the needs and aspirations of people living with disabilities. These upcoming sessions are designed to integrate direct community submissions into the party’s manifesto, ensuring meaningful representation in formal government structures and advancing equal access to employment opportunities.
As the November elections draw closer, the UDM is betting that Kwankwa’s strict commitment to public accountability, combined with a growing grassroots base, will deeply resonate with voters fatigued by ongoing service delivery failures in the Buffalo City Metro.
