The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has announced Nthabiseng Tshivhenga as its mayoral candidate for the City of Ekurhuleni ahead of the 4 November 2026 Local Government Elections, positioning her to lead the party’s campaign in one of Gauteng’s key metropolitan municipalities.
The announcement was made by the EFF Gauteng on Friday, a day before the country’s final voter registration weekend, during which the Electoral Commission (IEC) is expected to register eligible voters ahead of the municipal polls.
IEC Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo is scheduled to provide an update on voter registration after voting stations open on Saturday.
In a statement, the EFF said Tshivhenga’s nomination reflects the party’s commitment to fielding leaders with governance experience and an understanding of municipal administration.
The party described her as a leader with a track record in strengthening governance, accountability and service delivery, saying municipalities require experienced public servants capable of addressing local government challenges.
Tshivhenga was born in Tembisa and completed her schooling in Daveyton and Benoni before pursuing qualifications in law, information technology and municipal governance.
According to the EFF, she holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of South Africa and a National Diploma in Information Technology specialising in Business Analysis and Information Systems from the University of Johannesburg.
She has also completed qualifications in Municipal Governance, Project Management, Legislative Drafting, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Performance Management.
The party said Tshivhenga has more than 15 years’ experience in local government.
Before entering elected office in 2016, she worked as a Service Delivery Monitoring and Evaluation Practitioner, where she monitored the implementation of Integrated Development Plans, municipal budgets, council resolutions and compliance with the Municipal Finance Management Act.
She later served as a Researcher for the Municipal Public Accounts Committee in the City of Ekurhuleni, where her work included analysing financial statements, Auditor General reports and municipal expenditure as part of efforts to strengthen oversight and accountability.
Since joining the EFF in 2016, Tshivhenga has served in several leadership positions within the party.
She completed two terms as Chairperson of Ward 43 and was elected to the EFF Regional Command Team in 2018.
She also formed part of the party’s first group of councillors in the City of Ekurhuleni following the 2016 local government elections.
Her responsibilities later expanded when she was elected Speaker of the Ekurhuleni Council, where she presided over council sittings and chaired the Rules and Programming Committees.
The EFF said her role as Speaker included safeguarding democratic accountability within one of South Africa’s largest metropolitan municipalities.
Beyond local government, Tshivhenga has also served in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.
According to the party, she has been a member of the Finance Portfolio Committee, the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Portfolio Committee, the Community Safety Portfolio Committee and the Scrutiny of Subordinate Legislation Portfolio Committee.
EFF Gauteng Provincial leader, Nkululeko Dunga, said this combination of municipal and provincial governance experience has equipped her with an understanding of the challenges facing municipalities and the measures required to improve governance and service delivery.
Dunga said Ekurhuleni requires leadership grounded in accountability, financial management and effective administration rather than political slogans.
He added that Tshivhenga’s experience in municipal finance, governance systems, policy oversight and public administration places her in a position to restore stability, improve service delivery and prioritise the interests of residents.
“We believe Tshivhenga represents the calibre of leadership needed to advance clean governance, disciplined administration and developmental local government in Ekurhuleni,” Dunga said.
The party also called on residents to support both Tshivhenga and the party in the upcoming municipal elections.
The announcement comes as political parties intensify campaigning ahead of the 4 November local government elections.
It also coincides with the final voter registration weekend, regarded as the last opportunity for eligible South Africans to register or update their voting details before the voters’ roll closes.
The IEC has opened voting stations across the country for the registration weekend, with Mamabolo expected to provide updates on registration levels and turnout as the process unfolds.
Political parties are using the final days before the registration deadline to mobilise supporters and encourage eligible voters to ensure they are registered to participate in the November municipal elections, which will determine the leadership of municipalities across South Africa, including the City of Ekurhuleni.
