Middelburg, Mpumalanga — The newly formed Hope of Residents Party (HOR) has officially entered the 2026 Steve Tshwete Municipality elections, positioning itself as a formidable challenger against established political structures in the region.
As one of the 24 political parties vying for the 59 available council seats, Hope of Residents is campaigning on a strict anti-corruption and good governance platform. The party is led by Mike Masina, the former executive mayor of the municipality who previously served on the ticket of the ANC. Because of his extensive background in local government, Masina notes that he knows the municipal terrain exceptionally well.
Speaking on the party’s vision, Masina emphasized a return to ethical leadership. “We want to bring back the glory days of good and clean governance,” Masina said. “That is why we believe that we have what it takes to restore the municipality.”
Masina is urging the local populace to support the new formation, calling on residents to “vote overwhelmingly for us for Hope of Residents so that we can liberate the municipality from the quagmire of corruption.”
While the broader electoral race in Steve Tshwete features heavyweights like the ANC coalition and the DA, the emergence of Hope of Residents highlights a growing voter appetite for fresh leadership. The municipality’s economy, heavily reliant on mining, manufacturing, and agriculture, requires stable and transparent administration to thrive. By focusing strictly on clean governance, the newly formed party aims to capture the votes of residents who are frustrated with the current political landscape and are eager for a liberated, well-run municipality.
