The EFF says it is ready for the local government elections and that they will be contesting every ward in the country, including the home of President Jacob Zuma in Nkandla.

“We have candidates that are close to 10 000. We are contesting even Jacob Zuma’s ward, we have a candidate there. Helen Zille’s ward, Jackson Mthembu and Baleka Mbete’s wards, we are contesting everywhere,” spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi said on Wednesday.

He was speaking to the media after the draw to decide which party would top the Proportional Representation (PR) ballot papers in all municipalities. The lucky party was the Pan Africanist Movement, but Ndlozi said he was not fazed by who was on top.

It is the first time that the EFF is contesting the local government elections.

“Your message must have been demonstrated in the rank and file, it must have been demonstrated in the people’s daily struggle with power. Our people are going to go and look for the EFF on the ballot, it doesn’t matter what number we occupy,” Ndlozi said.

He also welcomed the announcement that there had been an increase in the number of parties contesting the elections.

“We have been ready for days. If elections were to go ahead tomorrow, we would be ready to contest. We have the machinery. We are contesting all the wards in South Africa. It’s an exciting time indeed to have 205 political parties contesting in these elections.

“We have emphasised that this is a multiparty democracy and anyone who holds a different view must be able to express it on the ballot paper,” he said.

Ndlozi added that all parties needed to contribute and pull their weight to ensure the elections are free and fair.