Freedom Front Plus Targets ANC Strongholds
Two former ANC members are running as Freedom Front Plus candidates in townships for the upcoming November elections.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Politics — General
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The Freedom Front Plus is expanding its political reach into traditional ANC strongholds by recruiting former ruling party members to contest local seats. The party is now fielding candidates in townships including Mabopane and Soweto.
Why it matters
The party aims to challenge the political status quo by addressing national governance, food security, and safety concerns. Its candidates explicitly oppose existing policies surrounding Black Economic Empowerment and Affirmative Action.
The Freedom Front Plus is officially fielding two former ANC members in the November elections to contest township seats. Their platform focuses on opposing Black Economic Empowerment and Affirmative Action policies.
The players
Freedom Front Plus
This is a South African political party that advocates for minority rights and promotes policies opposing affirmative action.
ANC
The African National Congress is the governing party of South Africa that has led the country since the end of apartheid.
Siphiwe Mhlongo
He is a former ANC branch chairperson in Mabopane who is now running as a candidate for the Freedom Front Plus.
Daniel Makgobola
He is a long-serving former ANC member in Soweto who has joined the Freedom Front Plus to contest the upcoming election.
The details
The Freedom Front Plus recruited Siphiwe Mhlongo and Daniel Makgobola to campaign under its banner as it seeks to build an economy involving multiple racial groups. This move represents a strategic pivot for the party as it attempts to gain traction in areas that have historically supported the ANC.
Timeline
The candidates will contest the elections in November 2026.
Political Context
The Freedom Front Plus's platform directly challenges the long-standing Black Economic Empowerment framework that has defined South African governance. This opposition serves as the primary ideological wedge between the party and the established ANC voter base.
Voters in Mabopane and Soweto will see new policy options on the ballot that specifically target the repeal of Affirmative Action and Black Economic Empowerment. This expansion could alter local representation and change how civic grievances are addressed in township communities.
The takeaway
The entry of high-profile former ANC members into the Freedom Front Plus signifies a growing effort to broaden the party's demographic and geographic appeal. Residents should review the specific economic proposals of these candidates to understand how their platform differs from current policy.
Further reading
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