In a remarkable political showdown, twenty-one parties are vying for control of the Thabazimbi Local Municipality, the council of which was recently dissolved and placed under administration due to longstanding dysfunction. This decision follows extended efforts by the provincial government, under the guidance of Mr. Basikopo Makamu, Member of the Executive Council for Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements, and Traditional Affairs. Despite ongoing support, the municipality’s challenges persisted, prompting a fresh start through a by-election slated for December 4, 2024.
The Impending by-election has sparked intense competition as each party eyes the prospect of leading the municipality toward a functional and stable future. The African National Congress (ANC), previously just shy of majority control, aims to govern independently, replicating its dominance in the Provincial Legislature, where it holds a commanding 74% majority. However, this ambition faces significant opposition from twenty other parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Umkhonto We Sizwe, and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP).
In a bid to secure victory, the ANC’s 1st Deputy Secretary General and National Political Head, along with the province’s Deputy Provincial Secretary and Provincial Head of Elections, Basikopo Makamu, spearheaded a gruelling campaign in Thabazimbi on Friday. Their determined efforts included visits to four key wards: Phophola, Regorogile, Krause voting district, and Dwaalboom. The ANC is leaving nothing to chance in its quest for outright control, deploying its top leaders to energize the electorate and consolidate support.
The ANC has mobilized Its full resources within the municipality, with influential figures such as former Premier Chupu Stanley Chupu and current Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba, and Provincial Secretary Reuben Madadzhe leading an energetic campaign. Their extensive presence is aimed at securing every ward and gaining additional proportional representation seats. Meanwhile, rival parties are equally determined, flooding the municipality with their own campaign efforts to thwart the ANC’s plans.
As the date of November 4 approaches, the eyes of Thabazimbi and beyond are fixed on the outcome. The stakes are high: the newly elected council will govern for sixteen months until the 2026 local government elections. The pressing question remains—will Thabazimbi’s residents forgive the ANC for past shortcomings and trust them with a majority mandate, or will they opt for a new leadership, distributing the council’s power more broadly among the other contending parties?
The political atmosphere in Thabazimbi is charged with anticipation, each party striving to sway public opinion and secure a foothold in this strategic municipality. The outcome promises to be a barometer of broader political trends, reflecting voter sentiments ahead of upcoming national and provincial elections.
With the ANC deploying all its big guns and every party endeavouring to capture the public’s imagination and vote, the campaign trail is heating up. Voters stand poised to influence not only their local governance but potentially signal a shift in regional political dynamics, making this by-election a pivotal moment in Thabazimbi’s political landscape.
