United Democratic Movement (UDM) deputy leader Nqabayomzi Kwankwa said his party has proven its naysayers wrong after making record gains in several municipalities in the Eastern Cape.
The UDM could prove to be a kingmaker in many municipalities in the province that were once considered African National Congress (ANC) strongholds.
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In the Buffalo City Metro, the UDM is officially the second-biggest party, ahead of the Democratic Alliance (DA) after securing 20.04% of the vote.
Out of all parties, the UDM made the most gains in the Eastern Cape, the province where the party was established.
The UDM’s strong showing stretches from the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality to the Buffalo City Metro, where the party also expects to be the kingmaker.
Kwankwa said the party performed beyond expectations and proved its doubters wrong.
“There were a lot of naysayers even in the media. They thought we were just chance takers. We knew what we wanted to do and our message clearly resonated.”
Kwankwa said the party will be engaging in coalition talks with other parties in due course.
“I’m in constant contact with the party leader. We will have preliminary talks to do preliminary assessments of what is possible and look at various scenarios.”
Kwankwa said the party will now focus on the 2029 elections with its solid base built to target control of the province.
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Babalo Ndenze
www.ewn.co.za