KHUMA TOWNSHIP – In a display of grassroots democracy ahead of the local government elections, ANC Branch General Meeting (BGM) nominee Themba Oliphant secured 201 votes to defeat Mathapelo Sekhonyane, who garnered 173 votes, during the community nomination process for Matlosana Sub Region Ward 35 on Friday, 19 June 2026.
The seamless and transparent nomination gathering was successfully overseen and monitored by Percy Mokgabi, deployed by the ANC Regional Executive Committee (REC) in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda region. Mokgabi was on the ground to ensure that all activities were monitored properly and that community members were empowered to participate freely in the branch meeting.
“What we achieved in Khuma township’s Ward 35 is true grassroots democracy in action,” said Mokgabi. “By properly monitoring and facilitating this process, we ensured that the voices of community members were heard loud and clear. I am proud to have overseen such a transparent and unified nomination process ahead of the local government elections.”
The gathering served to reaffirm the African National Congress’s commitment to community-driven candidate selection. Under the party’s new rules, guidelines, and procedures for the 2026 local government elections, the Branch Executive Committee (BEC) is mandated to organize inclusive community meetings to present the candidates initially nominated by the BGM.
Following Friday’s community presentation—which was closely monitored by the REC leadership—the candidate who captures the highest support from the combined BGM and community process will typically become the designated ward councillor candidate. This selection remains final pending standard final vetting by the Provincial List Committee (PLC).
Meanwhile, the party postponed its community nomination process for Ward 34 following a medical emergency and ongoing community disputes on Wednesday, 17 June 2026. The gathering was halted abruptly after a prospective candidate collapsed at the venue.
Party REC deployee and member Rose Thabanchu noted that the nomination proceedings had been progressing smoothly before the sudden collapse. Following the incident and rising tensions regarding candidate selection, officials decided to suspend the meeting.
Thabanchu confirmed she will compile a formal report to be submitted to the ANC regional structure detailing the reasons for the postponement.
The ANC has assured residents of Ward 34 that a new date to announce their designated ward councillor will be communicated to the community in due course. The party remains tasked with resolving the local disputes to ensure a transparent and democratic selection of candidates for the upcoming 2026 South African municipal elections.
The party is continuing its community nomination process for other wards of Khuma township as part of its updated candidate selection guidelines. This approach forms a vital component of its broader strategy to overhaul local leadership and deepen participatory democracy ahead of the elections.
