Mda will not be contesting the incoming local government elections that are expected to take place in 2026, as they are not in her level.
From a young activist to a prominent politician Anele Mda’s journey is a testimony to her dedication and passion for creating change. Mda grew up surrounded by politics, influencing her early interest in social activism and leadership, she started her political career at the age of 14 years making her way up to become an independent candidate contesting in the national elections .
According to Mda , her political career was groomed by her late grandfather Sizakele Mda who is well known for his role in politics working together with Oliver Thambo, and because of that Mda says she got an opportunity to work closely with Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. Growing up Mda shared that she was once a member of the African National Congress playing a pivotal role in its structures. She led in different structures within the party until 2008, when she left due to internal issues.
After leaving the ANC, Mda shares that she is one of the people who co-founded the Congress of the People (COPE), serving as a young member of parliament and gaining international exposure. While Mda was serving as the member of COPE, she then resigned after noticing there is no future. “There are a lot of reasons that I can mention as the contributing factor for the decision to contest as an independent candidate into the national elections, one is to notice that our country does not have an impactful change in terms of bringing black people to actual feel the democracy,” Mda explained.
Mda’s experience in politics has shaped her advocacy work, focusing on women’s rights, children’s welfare, and people with disabilities. “I’m one of the people who are proponent and advocates strongly for the protection and justice of women’s rights,” she said. Furthermore Mda shared that she is a leader that fights for gender equality, social justice and youth development.
Continuing Mda accuse the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) for deliberately sabotaging independent candidates by failing to conduct voter education prior the national elections, and because of that people did know what an independent candidate is about. Additional Mda said, she will not be contesting the incoming local government elections that are expected to take place in 2026, as they are not in her level simple because she believes her impact and relevance are at the national level as she was once a member of parliament.
