MIDDELBURG – Another residents’ party is in the pipeline, promising an alternative political home for local residents in the Steve Tshwete municipality.
The Middelburg and Hendrina Residents Front (MHRF) is so far the only residents’ party that contested, for the first time, the 2021 local government elections, securing 7 council seats after it was formed in 2020.
The party, named Impuquko Ezwenilethu, abbreviated IQZ, told the Highveld Chronicle that it wants to champion issues of local importance for the residents of Middelburg. “We are talking about issues such as high rates and taxes, water and electricity in rural areas, access to clinics, water and sanitation, unemployment, and issues of land,” said IQZ convener Kagiso Sibiya.
“Our people have woken up from their sleep. They acknowledge they were deceived after giving certain people power to represent their best interests in the Steve Tshwete council, but those people seem to have forgotten about the people’s mandate,” said Sibiya.
“They developed an appetite for state benefits, parading in expensive suits and English hats, and others enjoying the blue lights.”
Sibiya explained that the decision to form a party follows a series of previous marches to municipal offices highlighting residents’ concerns that were not taken seriously. He added that they had to engage and consult with residents.
“After two years of seeking answers to our demands, we finally decided to establish a political party that will prioritise and push for the demands and needs of the people of this town,” he said.
He also said that IQZ has a fast-growing membership and is in the process of registering with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). “People from Mhluzi, Middelburg, Doornkop, Arnot, Hendrina, and surrounding areas have given us that mandate. The party will contest the 2026 local government elections, and we are definitely going to punish mediocrity at the polls in the 2026 local government elections,” he said.
Busi Magagula, also a convener, explained the colours in their logo, which they will use for their election campaign. “The colour green represents nature, white stands for peace, while the arm and the scale of justice typify equality for the people,” she said.
“This party represents the bread-and-butter issues of the people of the entire Middelburg and surrounding areas—young and old activists whose demands and voices are not taken seriously. We felt enough is enough; we got an unqualified audit with 44 findings. Still pursuing our demands, we went an extra mile and asked for a meeting with the mayoral committee. No one wants to hear us out, while they say they are leading us.”
Although IQZ could not reveal prominent names behind its formation, for the sake of curiosity, they stated that they have the backing of local business people, former councillors, and prominent members of the community who “want to see the restoration of Middelburg to its former glory.”
