South Africans vote in municipal elections amid service failures
- Municipal elections are scheduled for November 4, 2026.
- Voters are prioritising basic services, unemployment, and crime.
- Johannesburg and eThekwini face significant water loss due to ageing infrastructure.
- Unemployment in Johannesburg has risen to 35.9% in the second quarter.
- The elections serve as a test for the African National Congress's electoral decline.
South Africans are scheduled to head to the polls on 4 November 2026 to participate in municipal elections, with voters set to elect councillors responsible for choosing mayors to oversee essential local services. These local government elections will determine which parties control the country's largest cities and serve as a test for the African National Congress's electoral decline.
Basic services, unemployment, and crime are identified as the primary issues of concern for voters in major cities.
South Africa is the southernmost country on the African continent, with a total land area of 1,221,037 square kilometres. The country has 2,798 kilometres of coastline along the Indian Ocean and the South Atlantic. It shares its northern borders with Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia, and is bordered to the east and northeast by Eswatini and Mozambique.
The country of Lesotho is entirely enclosed by South African territory. The population of South Africa is more than 63 million people. It is the 6th most populous nation in Africa and the 24th most populous in the world. Johannesburg is the most populous and largest city in the country, followed by Durban and Cape Town.
Water shortages and infrastructure failures plague cities
Johannesburg loses approximately one-third of its water supply. This loss results from illegal connections, burst pipes, leaks, and ageing infrastructure.
Residents in Johannesburg face a three-month wait for water relief, according to reports from 27 October 2026.
The city struggles with maintenance backlogs and ageing water and electricity networks.
In eThekwini, more than half of the water supply is lost before reaching paying customers.
The municipality also continues to struggle with sanitation backlogs in certain communities.
Reports indicate that some municipalities have spent funds on competitions or water services that residents do not receive. One municipality pays R15 million per month for water that residents do not receive.
Poor municipal service delivery has forced independent action. A South African university spent R15.15 million to drill its own boreholes.
Unemployment rates climb in Johannesburg and Tshwane
The Republic of South Africa has seen rising unemployment in cities such as Johannesburg and Tshwane. Johannesburg recorded an unemployment rate of 35.9% in the second quarter of 2026.
This figure represents an increase from 33.0% recorded one year earlier, according to Statistics South Africa.
Tshwane also reported a rise in its unemployment rate. The rate increased to 34.2% in the second quarter from 30.8% the previous year.
eThekwini and Cape Town report lowest unemployment figures
Cape Town and eThekwini reported the lowest unemployment rates among major metropolitan areas. Cape Town recorded an unemployment rate of 21.9%.
eThekwini reported an unemployment rate of 21.2%.
The total number of employed people in the municipality reached 1.29 million.
Crime remains a primary concern despite mixed police data
Johannesburg saw a decline in murders and carjackings during the same period, though violent crime remains high.
In eThekwini, carjackings and aggravated robberies have declined. However, rates of murder and attempted murder in the municipality remain elevated.
Rapid urbanisation strains housing and services
Despite this investment, Cape Town faces challenges from rising property prices, rental demand, and long-term water-security risks.
Political analysts weigh national issues against local needs
The nation is comprised of nine provinces. Politicians campaigning this year have faced questions regarding national issues such as illegal immigration, in addition to high unemployment and crime.
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