- Grace Bible Church hosted political leaders, mayoral candidates and ward councillor candidates on 25 October 2026, with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) present.
- Presiding Bishop Mosa Sono called for tolerance during campaigning and acceptance of election results, provided the elections are free and fair.
- The prayer service emphasised servant leadership, national unity and the need for elected representatives to prioritise communities’ needs.
Grace Bible Church Presiding Bishop Mosa Sono has called for tolerance during campaigning and acceptance of credible results ahead of the 4 November 2026 local government elections.
He was speaking at a prayer service attended by political candidates and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) on 25 October 2026. South Africans are set to head to the polls on 4 November 2026 to elect their local government representatives.
The 9am service brought together political leaders, mayoral candidates and ward councillor candidates from various parties and formations, including independents. The IEC attended to hear a message focused on servant leadership.
Sono said the church had invited candidates to pray for guidance and blessings ahead of the elections. He explained that the gathering was meant for prayer, not political debate. He called for peaceful campaigning and urged political parties to accept the outcome if the elections are free and fair. The church also prayed for voters, election officials, law enforcement, and all communities.
Sono highlights servant leadership
Drawing on the biblical account of King Solomon in 1 Kings 3:5–10, Sono said political leadership required wisdom, humility and an understanding of the responsibilities that came with public office. He reminded candidates that leadership was a form of service and that those entrusted with public responsibilities should put the needs of communities before their own interests.
Acknowledging the difficulties of leadership, Sono said leaders could make mistakes, become discouraged or face situations in which they did not have all the answers. He therefore encouraged them to seek wisdom and discernment when making decisions that affect the people they serve.
Sono also drew lessons from Nehemiah, who assessed the condition of Jerusalem’s broken walls before mobilising people to rebuild them. He said leaders needed to understand the challenges facing communities, communicate a clear vision and collaborate with others to bring about change.
He warned against public apathy and encouraged eligible voters to participate in the polls: “Your vote is your voice. Use it wisely on 4 November.”
Prayer addresses national challenges
The service drew on the South African Council of Churches’ The South Africa We Pray For campaign, launched on 16 December 2015 at Regina Mundi Catholic Church in Soweto. The campaign seeks to mobilise churches and communities towards a just, equitable, reconciled and sustainable society.
The issues discussed included racial and ethnic divisions, xenophobic prejudice, family challenges, poverty, inequality, economic transformation and corruption. Sono emphasised that prayer needed to be accompanied by practical efforts to address the challenges confronting South Africans.
In the closing prayer, he asked God to protect candidates, provide them with resources, and help them work together without division. He also prayed for peace on election day and for a credible process. “We only have one South Africa with great people, and we all should strive for a prosperous future where there’s equality, justice and success,” Sono concluded.
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