Ahead of the Local Government Elections to be held in November, the Electoral Commission in partnership with the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA) have launched the inaugural Special Issue of the Journal of African Elections.
Launched in Johannesburg on Wednesday, the special issue is a continuation of the national dialogue on political funding framework.
The publication tackles key challenges in political finance, including tensions between public and private funding, risks of undue influence, and regulatory gaps.
It also underscores the need for stronger institutional capacity and sustained political will.
The Commission said the edition brings together nine double blind peer-reviewed academic articles, each contributing to a richer and more nuanced understanding of political funding in South Africa.
Collectively, they are organised around four interrelated themes:
• The first theme explores the theoretical foundations of political financing engaging with key conceptual questions.
• The second theme focuses on public funding of political parties.
• The third theme examines private financing an influential yet often less transparent area.
• The fourth theme provides a comparative analysis of political funding approaches.
Speaking at the launch, the Electoral Commission’s Chairperson Mosotho Moepya, said: “Democracy is expensive. But the cost of authoritarianism is higher and comes at the cost of personal freedoms and in economic stagnation resulting in harsh living standards for the majority in society.”
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sy Mamabolo who is also one of the co-editors of the special edition said the publication is intended to serve as both a scholarly resource and a catalyst for ongoing debate, policy innovation, and the strengthening of democracy.
“What emerges from this collection is not a single, unified conclusion, but rather a textured and dynamic conversation. The strength of this special issue lies in its diversity of perspectives, methodological, theoretical and normative,” Mamabolo said.
In his remarks Mamabolo said political financing remains one of the most consequential and contested dimensions of democratic governance.
“It shapes the competitiveness of elections, the accountability of political actors, and ultimately the trust that citizens place in democratic institutions. Yet it is also an area marked by complexity, opacity, and persistent reform debates. It is precisely for this reason that sustained scholarly engagement is both necessary and urgent,” he said.
He added that “that democracy is never a finished project.”
“The regulation of political finance will continue to evolve, shaped by legal reforms, political realities, and societal expectations. It is our hope that this special edition will serve not only as a scholarly resource but also as a catalyst for ongoing debate, policy innovation, and democratic strengthening,” he said.
The launch coincided with the 15th anniversary of EISA, marking a moment of reflection on its role in strengthening electoral integrity, advancing research and promoting democratic practice and dialogue across the region.
The print edition Journal of African Elections Special Issue will made available at institutions of higher education, libraries, community libraries, community centres and an online version is available and can be accessed through the Electoral Commission’s official platforms as well as EISA website.
It can also be accessed here: https://tinyurl.com/37b3366n
Members of the public, researchers and stakeholders are encouraged to engage with the publication to deepen their understanding of political funding and its impact on democratic governance.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially announced 4 November 2026 as the date for South Africa’s upcoming Local Government Elections, setting the stage for political parties and voters to begin preparations.
The Commission has welcomed the announcement of the date for the country’s upcoming Local Government Elections, describing it as a key milestone in preparations for the polls. – SAnews.gov.za
