As South Africans prepare to vote on 4 November 2026 in the 2026 Local Government Elections, each eligible voter has an opportunity and a responsibility to help shape their community's future. The mark on a ballot paper may be small, but it carries profound meaning. It is a peaceful expression of our democratic will and active citizenship, and a direct contribution to local government.

Since the dawn of democracy in 1994, South Africa has made remarkable strides in advancing constitutional rights, widening access to education and healthcare, extending social protection, and opening doors for millions who were excluded under apartheid.

South Africa faces a troubling contradiction. Despite having a productive agricultural sector and food available through domestic production and imports, many households still struggle to access adequate food.

When President Cyril Ramaphosa initiated a new, coordinated, single-planning dispensation in intergovernmental relations—the District Development Model (DDM) — in 2019, many critics rejected it as nothing more than another layer of coordinating structures. They argued that it risked duplicating existing systems and undercutting local government autonomy without solving core administrative weaknesses.

South Africa needs to join forces to navigate the current El Niño crisis and protect one of our most precious resources: water. As the country prepares for a summer season that could bring below-normal rainfall and higher temperatures, the responsibility to secure reliable water supplies cannot rest with government alone.