Executive Mayor of Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, Cllr Khumalo Molefe, has sparked discussion after he was seen stirring a pot of porridge during an ANC grassroots canvassing campaign in Ward 14’s Tontonyane.
Also see: ‘From legend to this?’ – Doctor Khumalo joining ANC campaign leaves bitter taste
Molefe, wearing a yellow ANC vest, took part in the community engagement ahead of South Africa’s 4 November 2026 local government elections.
Mayor Khumalo Molefe stirs the pap pot
The mayor’s appearance quickly caught the attention of social media users after images showed him stirring a pot of porridge while campaigning in the community.
The scene formed part of the ANC’s grassroots canvassing efforts as political parties ramp up their engagement with voters ahead of the local government elections.
While some viewed the moment as a simple way of connecting with residents, others questioned the optics of a politician preparing food during an election campaign.
Social media users criticise the campaign moment
Many of the online reactions described the gesture as performative, with some users questioning whether such acts meaningfully address the challenges faced by residents.
Some comments also raised broader concerns about how politicians engage with Black communities, particularly during election campaigns.
Others questioned what they described as desperate campaign tactics, including cooking for poorer communities instead of focusing on longer-term service delivery issues.
Once ANC commrades get our votes. They become celebrities with blue lights ,not accessible,they become corrupt ,feed their friends, foreigners and their famillies. ANC caders are now out there to protect their bread, once they are employed they will dissapeare for 5yrs @MYANC pic.twitter.com/oRiJQtjm05
— leolimza (@leolimza) September 22, 2026
Also see: ‘One loaf, one family’: ANC under fire for bread distribution during campaign
Omg they make me sick to my stomach https://t.co/wTUaedNBPS
— La Girl, uMabhayi (@neliswa__ngada) September 22, 2026
Meme highlights road concerns
A circulating meme also used the incident to highlight concerns about roads and service delivery.
The meme referenced the perceived state of roads before, during and after elections, reflecting a recurring frustration among residents about infrastructure and municipal services.
The reactions have therefore extended beyond Molefe’s actions, with the incident becoming part of a wider online discussion about election promises and service delivery.
Not everyone saw it negatively
Despite the criticism, some social media users appeared to take a lighter view of the incident.
For some, Molefe’s participation in preparing food represented an attempt to interact with residents in an informal setting and connect with the community on the ground.
The contrasting reactions illustrate how the same campaign moment can be interpreted differently, with some seeing a grassroots connection while others view it as election-season symbolism.
ANC intensifies grassroots campaigning
The Electoral Commission has certified 136,790 candidates to contest seats across South Africa’s municipalities. The Commission has also introduced an additional code dealing with disinformation alongside the Electoral Code of Conduct for the 2026 polls.
Molefe serves as the executive mayor of the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality. Government records list him as the municipality’s executive mayor.
For now, the images of the mayor stirring the pot have generated debate well beyond the Ward 14 campaign stop, with social media users using the moment to discuss poverty, service delivery, political campaigning and the relationship between politicians and communities.
Also see: ANC comrade washing people’s clothes in door-to-door campaign shocks many
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