The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has officially published the names of all 68 councillors elected to Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality, as attention turns to coalition negotiations that will determine who governs the municipality for the next five years.
The councillors’ names were published in Government Gazette 55741 on Friday, 13 November 2026, following the local government elections held on 4 November.
The official list identifies all 34 ward councillors and 34 proportional representation (PR) councillors, including their political parties.
Among those confirmed are outgoing Executive Mayor Madoda Papiyana, who returns as an ANC PR councillor, Kenneth Clark of The Independents and Solomzi Nkwentsha of Komani Progress Action.
The IEC has confirmed that the councillors are deemed elected with effect from 8 November 2026.
Full List of Enoch Mgijima’s 34 Ward Councillors
The following councillors were elected to represent the municipality’s 34 wards:
- Ward 1: Freedman Sabelo Roto (ANC)
- Ward 2: Asanda Sizani (ANC)
- Ward 3: Luzuko Foji (SACP)
- Ward 4: Luyanda Fezile Gcora (ANC)
- Ward 5: Thembakazi Mcdonald Panya (ANC)
- Ward 6: Bayanda Rock Damane (ANC)
- Ward 7: Siyabulela Avela Qwalela (ANC)
- Ward 8: Bukiwe Cynthia Simina-Ngcizinyati (ANC)
- Ward 9: Christopher Dean Mills (DA)
- Ward 10: Hermanus Albertus Deysel (DA)
- Ward 11: Fidelia Cyndelene Malatoe (DA)
- Ward 12: Claudia Olivia Everitt (PA)
- Ward 13: Richmond Zolile Bana (ANC)
- Ward 14: Uviwe Mange (ANC)
- Ward 15: Khayalakhe Pompie Majovu (The Independents)
- Ward 16: Zolani Mbokotwana (The Independents)
- Ward 17: Andile Africa Ganca (ANC)
- Ward 18: Ntomboxolo Maureen Solani (ANC)
- Ward 19: Boniswa Wakhe (ANC)
- Ward 20: Khayalethu Nonyongo (ANC)
- Ward 21: Phumeza Caaly Feni (ANC)
- Ward 22: Merelyn Lulama Mseleni (ANC)
- Ward 23: Mbulelo Mnyaka (ANC)
- Ward 24: Sibongile Neli (ANC)
- Ward 25: Ernest Mavango (ANC)
- Ward 26: Lindiwe Lucia Ndlebe (ANC)
- Ward 27: Ntsikelelo Nicholus Cwebi (ANC)
- Ward 28: Lindy Ann Haggard (DA)
- Ward 29: Yonela Sylvia Bethiwe (ANC)
- Ward 30: Lingekile Jika (ANC)
- Ward 31: Akhona Nicolas Mbete (ANC)
- Ward 32: Nkululeko Ngcefe (ANC)
- Ward 33: Sindile Arthur Mbiyozo (ANC)
- Ward 34: Xhamla Chief Songwevu (ANC)
Full List of 34 Proportional Representation (PR) Councillors
Unlike ward councillors, PR councillors are elected through political party lists and represent the municipality as a whole.
The following councillors have been officially confirmed:
African National Congress (ANC) – 5 PR Councillors
- Madoda Lawrence Papiyana
- Songezo Siphenathi Lali
- Zimkhitha Simnikiwe Manqaphela
- Eugenia Asanda Mnyani
- Vuyiseka Vovo Bomela
Democratic Alliance (DA) – 7 PR Councillors
- Cliff Alister Pringle
- Lunga Cebisa Somikazi Mangcu
- Garth Tyrone Titus
- Roland Ashley Cloete Brown
- Sakhumzi Mkhunqe
- Simon Dukwe
- Zimbini Thandeka Tokwe
South African Communist Party (SACP) – 6 PR Councillors
- Lazola Pukwana
- Phambile Nuntsu
- Lwazikazi Mpange
- Kulekani Bota
- Anele Sondara
- Nontathu Mqikela
The Independents – 4 PR Councillors
- Kenneth Lisle Clark
- Ntozelizwe Xolisile Tom
- Deborah Ursula Stellenberg
- Aloisius Alexander
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) – 4 PR Councillors
- Zikhona Nwabisa Njoli
- Silindokuhle Gebe
- Queen Babalwa Rini
- Zolani Patric Mbovu
ActionSA – 2 PR Councillors
- Tsietsi Lucky Kgosimere
- Abulele Deon Frans
African Transformation Movement (ATM) – 2 PR Councillors
- Siphelo Clifford Ndarala
- Riccardo Steven Mc Donald
African Independent Congress (AIC) – 1 PR Councillor
- Siphamandla Nxesi
Komani Progress Action (KPA) – 1 PR Councillor
- Solomzi Simon Fox Nkwentsha
Hofmeyr Community Development Forum (HCDF) – 1 PR Councillor
- Cliford Xola Masumpa
uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK) – 1 PR Councillor
- Andries Mawulane Stemela
ANC and SACP Could Form Governing Majority
While the elected councillors have now been officially confirmed, the municipality’s political leadership remains undecided.
The ANC secured 31 of the 68 council seats, four short of the 35 required to hold an outright majority.
However, the SACP secured seven seats, giving the two parties a combined 38 seats should they agree to govern together.
The ANC in the Eastern Cape has indicated that it is willing to work with the SACP in municipalities where neither party secured an outright majority.
The SACP has also indicated that coalition arrangements must be based on clear commitments to service delivery, accountability and infrastructure improvements.
Despite these developments, no formal coalition agreement specifically covering Enoch Mgijima has been verified.
New Mayor and Speaker Still to Be Elected
The publication of the councillor list does not automatically determine who will become the municipality’s next executive mayor or speaker.
These positions will be decided through the relevant council processes once the newly elected council convenes.
Although Papiyana has secured another term as an ANC councillor, his return as executive mayor is not guaranteed.
The outcome of coalition negotiations will determine which political parties control the municipality and oversee its finances, infrastructure and essential services.
The municipality’s inaugural council meeting date has not yet been confirmed.
Residents can consult the complete official list in Government Gazette 55741, published on 13 November 2026.
