BOKSBURG, Gauteng — The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) has officially launched its manifesto for the 2026 Local Government Elections, outlining a comprehensive strategy to combat political instability and municipal corruption. Positioning itself as a principled alternative for South African voters, the party used the high-profile event to announce its highly anticipated metro mayoral candidates and champion a return to uncompromised ethical leadership at the municipal level.
The manifesto launch took place at Brentwood Park in Ekurhuleni—a critical metropolitan municipality boasting approximately 1.7 million registered voters. Founded in 1993 just before the dawn of South Africa’s democracy, the ACDP has historically served as a distinct parliamentary voice for biblical principles, traditional family values, and religious freedoms. However, this latest local government strategy pivots heavily toward urgent socio-economic issues, promising a blueprint for clean governance and community-centered administration.
The choice of Ekurhuleni as the backdrop for the launch underscores the severe service delivery challenges currently facing the region. The municipality is navigating a deep financial crisis, reportedly carrying a staggering debt of roughly 7.3 billion rand. Furthermore, local residents are grappling with high unemployment rates and persistent allegations of corrupt governance within municipal management and local law enforcement. The ACDP aims to address these systemic failures by presenting candidates who are capable of fulfilling essential constitutional promises.
Highlighting the national reach of the campaign, Matthew ACDP member traveled from Bloemfontein in the Free State to attend the Brentwood Park gathering. Speaking on the grassroots expectations surrounding the new manifesto, Matthew emphasized that citizens are demanding tangible service delivery improvements. He noted that communities urgently require better infrastructure, particularly maintained roads, and the installation of ethical leaders who have the capacity to execute their mandates effectively.
The proceedings were set to culminate with a keynote address by the ACDP President, Reverend Kenneth Meshoe. The President’s speech is expected to formally unveil the party’s metro mayoral candidates and provide a detailed roadmap of how the ACDP intends to translate its core values into actionable, transparent, and accountable local governance ahead of the 2026 elections.