By Teboho Moloi
QWAQWA – African Content Movement (ACM) president Hlaudi Motsoeneng says his party is poised to rewrite the political history of QwaQwa, declaring that ACM is the only movement genuinely committed to improving the lives of local residents ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
Motsoeneng was addressing party coordinators and members during an ACM meeting held on Saturday, 25 January, at Reahola Secondary School, where election strategies were outlined and plans to unseat the ruling Maluti-a-Phofung (MAP16) coalition were discussed.
Addressing a sizeable crowd, Motsoeneng described the gathering as a turning point for the region.
“Today marks the day ACM begins rewriting the history of QwaQwa,” he said.
He expressed confidence that ACM would win all former QwaQwa wards before ultimately taking control of the Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality, accusing successive political parties of failing residents while political leaders and their associates continued to live comfortably.
“For years, politicians have promised change, yet the lives of ordinary people remain the same. Only politicians, their friends and relatives benefit,” Motsoeneng said.
Motsoeneng praised the late impact of the Dikwankwetla Party of South Africa (DPSA), saying it was once the only party that truly prioritized the interests of QwaQwa residents, but accused its current leadership of destroying the movement.
“The people of QwaQwa need a party and leadership that will genuinely fight for them. Dikwankwetla once did that, but its current president killed the party by putting personal interests first,” he said.
He blamed the ANC and the MAP16 coalition for ongoing service delivery failures, including deteriorating roads, poor infrastructure, housing shortages, unemployment, and unreliable water and electricity supply.
“All the problems people are facing today must be laid at the door of the ANC. They are responsible for the conditions we live under,” Motsoeneng said.
Unemployment, he said, would be ACM’s primary target if elected.
“Our biggest enemy is unemployment. We will reopen factories, attract investors — some of whom we are already engaging — and ensure people work for themselves instead of depending on government handouts,” he said.
Motsoeneng criticised the R370 Social Relief of Distress grant, describing it as an insult that strips recipients of their dignity.
He urged residents to register to vote and exercise their democratic right, reminding them that it was won through struggle.
Referring to the legacy of Dr T.K. Mopeli, Motsoeneng said many schools built during the former QwaQwa homeland era had since closed, forcing learners to attend schools outside the region.
“ACM will reopen those schools — including private schools — so that education returns to the community,” he said.
He also criticized employers’ demands for work experience from job seekers, saying this practice contributes significantly to youth unemployment and would be abolished under an ACM-led government.
“I am not talking about what I wish to do. I am talking about what I have already done,” Motsoeneng said.
“At the SABC, I absorbed interns and permanently employed them. I am a man of action.”
