Councils sworn in, municipal delivery test begins

The ballots have been tallied, and the operational test of local government now begins. Last Wednesday, more than 15 million South Africans voted across the country, and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) announced the results of the 2026 local government elections last night. What follows is a matter of delivery: constituting councils, stabilising municipal finances and ensuring that water, electricity and other basic services actually reach residents.

The scale of the incoming workload is considerable. Voters went to the polls with more than 540 parties and close to 137,000 candidates standing, the widest choice offered since 1994. The improved turnout and the sheer number of contenders point to an active and vibrant democracy, one that continues to evolve and open new avenues for civic participation. From seasoned voters who have not missed an election since 1994 to young people marking a ballot for the first time, voters came from cities, towns and villages, from every community and walk of life, sharing the belief that their participation matters.

Getting councils up and running is the first practical hurdle. Political parties must cooperate in good faith to reach agreement on the election of office-bearers so that councils can be constituted and get to work. In the interests of effective, accountable local government, those elected must find common ground from the very outset, regardless of political differences. Winning the confidence of the electorate at the ballot box must never be taken for granted.

The machinery behind the poll itself functioned as intended. The IEC exercised its mandate with the utmost professionalism and care, while the police, the defence force and other government officials ensured that voting proceeded smoothly and securely. All parties and candidates who campaigned responsibly deserve commendation. This election, a crucial pillar of the democratic constitutional order, was free, fair and peaceful.

Attention now turns to how municipalities are run. Incoming councillors will have an important role in reshaping the system of local government, guided by the recommendations of the revised White Paper on Local Government. The white paper sets out measures to put municipal finances on a sounder footing, to direct more money to maintaining infrastructure and to ensure that services reach residents reliably. As they attend to the immediate needs of residents, councillors will be judged on whether these measures translate into working taps, steady power supplies and well-maintained public spaces.

The demands of the electorate are grounded in the practical. South African voters want work and economic opportunity. They want reliable and affordable supplies of water and electricity, well-maintained public spaces and neighbourhoods where they feel safe. They want municipalities that are well run and local finances that are soundly managed. Through this election, the South African people are demanding that those entrusted with public service fulfil their responsibilities, and those elected to councils now need to prove themselves worthy of that trust.

The timing carries its own significance. This year marks three decades since the Constitution was signed into law, establishing South Africa as a multi-party democracy in which every adult has an equal vote and those in power must regularly return to the people for a fresh mandate. At a time when democracy is being tested in a number of countries, last week’s poll shows that these foundations remain sound. It is a pattern visible elsewhere too: in democracies across the world, political choices are being shaped by the bread-and-butter issues that matter most to voters.

The goal set for the new term of office is unambiguous. Local government must become an engine room of service delivery, a driver of development and a creator of opportunity. That calls for councillors who put the needs of communities ahead of any other interests, who listen and respond to residents and who carry out their duties with humility. It is up to all to ensure that democracy delivers for every South African and that local government works better for all.

Cyril Ramaphosa is President of South Africa.