Municipal Elections 2026: Our Communities, Our Responsibilities, Our Vote
By Gillian Hugo
On 4 November 2026, South Africans face an important choice: continue to accept the state of our communities, or use our democratic voice to demand accountability and change. At this juncture, local government elections are more important than national elections. Local government determines if you have what you need to live a dignified life each day.
Countrywide, residents are growing tired of unreliable water supplies, electricity challenges, crumbling roads, failing sewage systems, and uncollected rubbish. These inconveniences affect our health, dignity, livelihoods, and quality of life.
While basic municipal services fail, residents are still expected to pay often exorbitant rates, taxes, and municipal bills. Many are forced to spend even more of their hard-earned money on water tanks, boreholes, generators, solar panels and other alternatives for services they already pay for. How long can this continue?
The frustration and anger are understandable. People want answers, not another round of election promises. They want functioning municipalities, responsible financial management, transparent decision-making and accountable leaders who understand that public office is a responsibility to serve, not a privilege to enjoy with coffers to plunder.
The Auditor-General’s 2024/25 municipal audit report paints a concerning picture. Only 39 of South Africa’s 257 municipalities achieved clean audits, while 215 had material findings relating to compliance with legislation. Municipalities incurred R40.14 billion in irregular expenditure during 2024/25 alone. Although some audit outcomes improved, this progress has not sufficiently translated into better governance, sound financial management and reliable service delivery.
The Catholic Church’s social teaching reminds us that government is a responsibility to serve, public resources are held in trust, and political leadership should be directed towards the common good. Public office is not a privilege to exploit, and public money is not there to be squandered. Leaders must demonstrate integrity, transparency, accountability and a genuine commitment to the communities they serve.
Municipalities face genuine challenges, including financial constraints, ageing infrastructure, criminal activity (like stealing power cables) and growing service demands. However, these cannot become permanent excuses for poor maintenance, inadequate planning, a lack of transparency or failure to respond to residents’ concerns. Communities deserve honest leadership, responsible financial management and clear evidence of progress.
Our vote matters. Voting should not be based solely on party loyalty, familiar faces or election promises. A meal ticket or a free T-shirt should never determine our choice!
It is tempting to become disillusioned and conclude that voting makes little difference. Sometimes we need to vote for the best of the worst, but the important thing is that we use our vote. Democracy requires more than the right to complain; it calls for participation, informed choices and continued engagement with those elected to represent us. Voting cannot guarantee change, but disengagement leaves decisions in the hands of others.
On 4 November, go and vote! Find out where the candidates and parties stand on the issues affecting your community. Ask the difficult questions, interrogate the evidence and consider which candidates and political parties demonstrate integrity, accountability and a genuine commitment to serving their communities. Have robust debates. Look beyond the slogans and promises. After the election, continue demanding answers, attend community meetings, and hold elected representatives accountable for their promises.
If we are tired of living without reliable water, dependable electricity, functioning infrastructure and accountable local leadership, then we must do more than express our frustration. We must use the democratic tools available to us.
We deserve better. Our voices matter. Our votes count. Use your vote. Demand accountability. The future is too important to leave to chance.
