“Politics and Religion?”: ANC Members Visit Eastern Cape Church for Prayers Ahead of Elections
- ANC members, including Gwede Mantashe, attended a church service at the National Zionist Missionaries Board Church in KuGompo, Eastern Cape
- The visit took place as the church celebrated its 127th anniversary, with the ANC asking for prayers ahead of the November 2026 elections
- The TikTok video sparked sharp reactions from South Africans who questioned the party’s motives for the church visit
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Source: TikTok
ANC members turned up at a church in the Eastern Cape on 13 September 2026, and South Africans had plenty to say about it.
A TikTok video posted by @newsnexussa showed senior ANC figures, including Gwede Mantashe, at the National Zionist Missionaries Board Church in KuGompo, East London. The clip quickly gained traction online, with many viewers drawing a direct line between the visit and the upcoming local government by-elections scheduled for 4 November 2026.
The ANC also confirmed the visit through its official Facebook page, writing: “A warm welcome from the National Zionist Missionaries Board Church in KuGompo, Eastern Cape, as they celebrate 127 years. We give thanks for the fellowship and ask the church to keep us in prayer as we build on what works, fix what doesn’t and build municipalities that serve our people.”
Church visit raises eyebrows
The 127-year-old church has deep roots in the Eastern Cape community, making it a significant venue for any political figure to be seen at. While the ANC framed the visit as a moment of fellowship and gratitude, many South Africans online were sceptical about the timing, with elections just weeks away.
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The video sparked a lively debate in the comments section, with viewers split between amusement and outright frustration.
Watch the TikTok clip below:
Mzansi reacts to the ANC’s church appearance
South Africans did not hold back on @newsnexussa’s TikTok post:
@Evans Watson said:
“Politics and religion?”
@pheladi wee! wrote:
“Tell them we are very much lazy to vote for them. 🤣😆 Not skilled enough.”
@N.k.k commented:
“Doing the devil's work and going to church for votes.💔😆”
@Lthando noted:
“Boring strategy.”
For many commenters, the church visit felt less like genuine fellowship and more like a campaign stop dressed in prayer. Whether the appearance wins the ANC any favour with voters in the Eastern Cape remains to be seen when South Africans head to the polls on 4 November 2026.
3 more ANC election campaign stories
- A Free State township resident sent the ANC premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae packing when she knocked on her door to campaign on 29 August 2026.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa joined young South Africans in a popular dance during a voter registration drive.
- An elderly woman rejected President Cyril Ramaphosa directly during an ANC door-to-door campaign ahead of the November 2026 municipal elections.
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Source: Briefly News
