The IEC officially launched the 2016 municipal elections at Gallagher Estate on January 14, and chief electoral officer, Mosotho Moepya, says it’s all systems go.

Former DA leader, Mr Anthony Benadie, will trade national politics for local government with the announcement that he will make himself available for both the Steve Tshwete Municipality, as well as the Nkangala District Municipality.

Benadie told the Observer on Monday that he would definitely challenge the mayoral position with his party’s endorsement.

Apart from Benadie, the DA boasts a large number of veterans like Elza du Toit, Hennie Niemann, Anphea Grobler, Jos Pretorius and Johann Dayson, to fall back on.

DA newcomers like Palesa Mobango and Trevor Langeveld, has also shown serious political clout. The DA’s candidate’s listings are expected to be finalized by middle February.

The FF+ however plans to give the DA a run for its money at the poll.

“The DA has a formidable electioneering machine running behind the scenes, and the money to back them,” FF+ provincial leader, Mr Werner Weber, admits.

“The FF+ has however not wavered, like the DA, on our promises to our voters,” he motivates.

“The DA has morphed into a party with predominantly black leadership over the past couple of months, even Benadie had to give up his leadership seat to veteran politician James Masango,” Mr Weber motivates.

“If you want the black majority vote, then you have to be black,” he explains, questioning where it leaves the DA’s traditional white minority block.

The FF+ will back two candidates for the upcoming elections for Steve Tshwete, namely local realtor Mr Johan Duvenhage and existing councillor Mr Carel Uys, who Weber admits may possibly have reached the finish line of his political career due to his age and health.

“The candidates will have to decide between themselves who will top the candidates list,” Mr Weber said.

The ANC’s branch nominations are in, and have been sent to the province for a final nod.

According to a highly placed source within the ANC, Steve Tshwete has been voted the best run ANC municipality nationally, and thus there is no logical reason for Mayor Mike Masina to be ousted.

Cope councillor, Mr Ben Mokoena, could not comment on the party’s local government election strategy yet, and said Cope is still discussing future strategies.

The ACDP Mpumalanga spokesman, Mr Charles Mahlangu, confirmed that the party will contest the coming election and already identified a number of possible ward candidates in town.

According to Steve Tshwete’s IEC office, the DA, ANC, Cope, EFF, FF+, IFP, ACDP and GMRA (Greater Middelburg Residents Association), are the only registered parties that can presently contest the elections. The IEC however expect independent candidates to register after the election date has been announced.

The IEC is waiting for President Jacob Zuma to proclaim the election date, that must fall within three months prior or three months after May, the month during which the last elections were held. Only after the election date has been proclaimed, will the IEC draw up its time table, and all parties must adhere to the strict deadlines to be able to contest the elections.