UDM to hold its 6th National Congress in East London
Statement by Zandile Phiri, Acting Secretary General of the United Democratic Movement
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) will hold its 6th National Congress from 26 to 28 June 2026 at the grounds of Absa Stadium in East London, Eastern Cape, where 2,500 voting delegates from across the country will gather for one of the most important organisational and political moments in the life of the Party.
The UDM’s 6th National Congress agenda will include the tabling and discussion of organisational and financial reports, the consideration of proposed constitutional amendments, and a review of the Party’s structures, systems and organisational health.
Delegates will also consider the UDM’s strategic roadmap towards the 2026 Local Government Elections and beyond. This will include discussion on mobilisation, campaign readiness, the Party’s offer to communities, and the work required to rebuild public confidence in municipalities. On the road to the 2029 National and Provincial Elections, the 2026 local government campaign will be an important platform from which the UDM will strengthen its structures, expand its public reach, and reconnect with communities that are demanding clean, capable and accountable government.
The Congress will also mark the launch of the Party’s 2026 Local Government Elections Manifesto. Through this manifesto, the UDM will sharpen its message on clean governance, reliable basic services, protection of public money, ethical leadership and accountable councillors.
A key item on the programme will be the election of the UDM’s National Office Bearers for the next term of office. The electoral process will be presided over by the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (IEMSA), with Advocate Terry Tselane serving as the presiding officer for the confirmation of the voting college, announcement of duly nominated candidates, election procedure briefing, voting, counting and announcement of results.
UDM President, Major General Bantu Holomisa, MP, will deliver the keynote address and launch the UDM’s 2026 Local Government Elections manifesto during the open session on Saturday, 27 June 2026.
This UDM National Congress takes place at an important moment for both the UDM and South Africa. The state of the nation remains deeply concerning, with unemployment, poverty, crime, corruption, weak municipalities, unreliable services and declining public trust in government continuing to place communities under severe pressure.
Against this backdrop, the UDM will use its 6th National Congress to strengthen its structures, renew its mandate, and reaffirm its commitment to disciplined, ethical and accountable political organisation, clean governance, reliable basic services, the protection of public money, community-centred leadership, and a local government agenda that puts people before power.
Members of the media are invited to cover the open session of the Congress:
Dates : 26, 27 and 28 June 2026
Venue : Absa Stadium, East London, Eastern Cape
Open media session : Saturday, 27 June 2026
Time : Media arrival from 08:00; open session starts at 10:30
Credentials : Members of the media are requested to report to the registration desks for accreditation.
The open session of the Congress will be broadcast live on national television and streamed on the UDM’s official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/udm.rsa/. Members of the public, supporters and stakeholders who are unable to attend in person are encouraged to follow the proceedings on television or through the UDM’s Facebook page for live coverage and updates from the Congress.
UDM President Bantu Holomisa, MP’s keynote address, the tabled congress documents, and the PDF version of the UDM’s 2026 Local Government Elections manifesto will be made available on www.udm.org.za and on the UDM’s social media platforms following the official launch of the manifesto by President Holomisa on Saturday.
