With less than 40 days to the local government elections and no time to play catch up, the African National Congress's (ANC’s) mayoral candidate for Cape Town has his work cut out for him.

But councillor Xolani Sotashe said he was up to the task, and would lead from the front as the party embarked on blitz campaigns and knocked on doors to drum up support.

The party had a clear plan focusing on the local economy, retention of skills in the province, housing delivery, and crime, he said on Thursday.

“It is not going to be easy, but we are going to take the fight to the opponents.”

The party introduced Sotashe to locals at minibus taxi ranks in Langa on Thursday morning. The 44-year-old was announced as the party’s candidate for Cape Town on Saturday.

Sotashe has been tasked with selling the party to voters. It has been plagued by leadership issues and candidate list disputes in the DA-run Western Cape.

Sotashe told News24 the ANC’s strategy for the August 3 local government elections was not to make promises, but commitments.

Party officials would attend ratepayers meetings and speaking about issues that mattered to people in each area.

“We have a clear plan. To take Cape Town. We don’t promise, we commit ourselves,” he said.

Two republics Eradicating the racial divide would be one of their priorities.

Sotashe referred to himself as the product of two republics, as his father was from the former Transkei. He said the ANC was serious about making inroads in areas such as Clifton and Camps Bay, and in townships and coloured constituencies.

The party intended succeeding where he said the Democratic Alliance had failed, in eradicating crime in gang-infested areas. Its plan included re-establishing street committees and getting the religious sector involved.

He spoke only of the party and saw himself as a face of its campaign.

“A mayoral candidate does not stand alone. The ANC is contesting the elections, not individuals,” he insisted.

He said he was a team player and did not believe in fighting with anyone.

“I believe in resolving things when they occur. I am not saying I am perfect, but I strive to be. I believe we must mirror the organisation we represent.”

The ANC laid a foundation when it ruled the Western Cape more than 10 years ago, and aimed to build on what was already there, he said.