President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on newly elected councillors to prioritise service delivery, work across political differences and restore public confidence in local government, following the conclusion of the 2026 Local Government Elections.
In his weekly newsletter to the nation on Monday, following the announcement of the election results by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) on Sunday, the President said those elected to municipal councils must demonstrate that they are worthy of the trust placed in them by voters.
“Those who have been elected to councils now need to prove themselves worthy of the trust placed in them by the South African people,” President Ramaphosa said.
He stressed that the focus must now shift to addressing the needs of communities, with incoming councillors expected to play an important role in improving the functioning of municipalities and strengthening service delivery.
“We need to make local government an engine room of service delivery, a driver of development and a creator of opportunity,” he said.
The President said this required councillors who put communities first, listen and respond to residents and carry out their responsibilities with humility.
He also called on political parties to cooperate in good faith during the process of electing office-bearers to enable councils to be constituted and begin their work.
“In the interests of effective, accountable local government, those who have been elected must work to find common ground from the very outset, regardless of their political differences,” he said.
President Ramaphosa said the incoming councillors would also have an important role in reshaping local government, guided by the recommendations of the revised White Paper on Local Government.
The White Paper sets out measures to improve municipal financial management, direct more funding towards infrastructure maintenance and ensure that services reach residents reliably.
The President said the election had demonstrated that South Africans expected municipalities to respond to their everyday needs, including access to employment and economic opportunities, reliable and affordable water and electricity, well-maintained public spaces and safer neighbourhoods.
“Through this election, the South African people are demanding that those entrusted with public service fulfil their responsibilities,” he said.
Reflecting on the elections, President Ramaphosa congratulated the IEC for conducting the polls professionally and thanked the police, the defence force and other government officials for ensuring that voting proceeded smoothly and securely.
He also commended political parties and candidates who campaigned responsibly.
More than 15 million South Africans cast their ballots in the elections, with over 540 political parties and close to 137 000 candidates contesting for positions in municipal councils.
The President said the improved voter turnout and large number of parties and candidates demonstrated that the country's democracy remained active and vibrant.
He further noted that the country was marking 30 years since the Constitution was signed into law, establishing South Africa as a multi-party democracy.
At a time when democracy was being tested in several countries, he said, the recent elections demonstrated that the foundations of South Africa's constitutional democracy remained sound.
“It is up to all of us to ensure that democracy delivers for every South African and that local government works better for all,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za
