The African Independent Congress (AIC) is a regional party founded by the people of Matatiele and surrounding rural communities. Established on December 12, 2005 after the ruling ANC decided to incorporate the area into the Eastern Cape in August of that year, the party participated in the March 1 local government elections. It won 10 seats in the Matatiele municipality.

Dubbing themselves "victims of political manipulation", the AIC has labeled the ANC as arrogant for "ignoring the poor people of Matatiele". The AIC says that it "does not want to govern" but rather advocates a more inclusive type of governance model where ordinary citizens voices are considered in the political-decision making process. The AIC says that it is also opposed to any notions of a one party state where a "ruling party takes decisions affecting the whole nation at party conferences".

South Africa held national and provincial elections to elect a new National Assembly as well as the provincial legislature in each province on 22 April 2009.

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