PRETORIA, Gauteng — ANC Deputy President Paul Mashatile has taken his campaign trail to New Jerusalem in the Greater Tshwane region, rallying support and addressing critical service delivery issues just days before the 2026 Local Government Elections.
With only 13 days remaining until voters head to the polls on November 4, Mashatile engaged directly with residents to galvanize support, emphasizing party unity and the urgent need to secure a strong mandate to tackle ongoing municipal challenges.
Speaking to a crowd of supporters and volunteers, Mashatile thanked the provincial leadership for their coordination. He stressed that unity is essential to focus on the primary goal of getting citizens to vote, noting that a stronger ANC is better equipped to deliver on its promises.
Reflecting on the region’s political history, Mashatile referenced past governance plans dating back to 2017 when the Democratic Alliance was in charge, as well as the coalition arrangements following October 2024. Despite these political shifts, he reaffirmed the ANC’s commitment to improving living standards, highlighting ongoing efforts to build houses and provide basic services.
Mashatile announced that leadership has already briefed him on new developmental plans, specifically pointing to the Xanadu phase one and two projects. He promised that residents in these areas would be relocated to proper housing equipped with electricity, water, sanitation, and paved roads, ensuring that basic services are fully restored to the community.
A major focus of the campaign address was the severe public health crisis in the Bronkhorstspruit area, where unchlorinated water has recently caused widespread gastrointestinal illnesses. Mashatile addressed the contamination by noting that Deputy Minister David Mashobo is actively working with others to resolve the crisis. However, he stressed that Mashobo must also return to tackle the pressing water challenges affecting Atteridgeville, New Jerusalem, Soshanguve, and surrounding areas.
He also highlighted the role of the Minister of Electricity and Energy, noting that the Minister hails from the Atteridgeville area and is fully aware of the local power difficulties facing the community.
Concluding his address, Mashatile urged the community not to lose heart. He described the local branches as the “hands, feet, and minds” of the ANC, arguing that the party must remain strong to deal with complex service delivery challenges.
Taking a swipe at the rising number of independent candidates and newly formed political parties, Mashatile dismissed them as ineffective ventures. He warned voters that individuals running as independents or starting parties with their “sons and daughters” lack the capacity and structural ability to help the community, urging residents to stick with the ANC to ensure real, actionable solutions.
