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IEC Declares 2026 local elections ‘free and fair’ as SA enters coalition era
Following the IEC's declaration of the 2026 local government elections as free and fair, economists and political analysts weigh in on what the shift toward municipal coalitions…
ANC barely hangs on as DA and ActionSA make gains in final IEC results
The IEC has finalised the 2026 local government election results, showing the ANC clinging to a national lead with just 30.76% of the vote amid significant gains for the DA and…
The ANC is still the largest party, but its mandate is shrinking
Despite remaining South Africa's largest party, voting-station data reveals the ANC lost nearly 700,000 votes while voter turnout rose, pointing to a shrinking mandate ahead of…
ANC admits service delivery failures hurt election campaign
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has admitted that voter frustration over poor service delivery, power cuts, water shortages, and internal divisions drove massive election…
MK Party sets coalition rules as it prepares to negotiate after local elections
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party has established a national negotiating team to guide post-election coalition talks, maintaining that it will not compromise its principles to enter…
Malema calls for progressive alliance as EFF confronts electoral losses
EFF leader Julius Malema has addressed the party's declining electoral support, urging progressive parties to unite while pledging to direct party resources towards delivering…
Why voters must put competence before race
South Africa's democracy can only deliver prosperity and better services when citizens move beyond racial and ethnic voting lines to demand accountability and competence.
DA keeps mayoral options open as coalition talks loom
The Democratic Alliance is keeping its options open regarding mayoral chains in key metros like Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni as political parties prepare for critical coalition…
ANC may need a blue lifeline in Joburg
As election results point to a tight race in Johannesburg, the ANC may be pushed toward an uneasy coalition with the DA despite fierce resistance from local party leaders.
A historic election for South Africa
Fed up with widespread service delivery failures and unstable municipal coalitions, millions of South Africans took to the polls in a pivotal local government election defined by…
15.9 million voters reshape local politics as coalitions loom
Voter turnout rebounded to 15.9 million in the 2026 local government elections, driven by middle-class frustration over service delivery failures as preliminary results point to…
Sophiatown’s patience is wearing thin
Frustrated by mounting crime, dry taps, and uncollected rubbish, Sophiatown residents headed to the polls demanding urgent solutions and accountable leadership.
Sharing power is easy; governing is hard
As South African municipalities grapple with water crises and unstable leadership, coalition governance faces a crucial test: moving beyond survival politics toward transparent,…
The culture of mediocrity ends
An analysis of widespread municipal underperformance in South Africa reveals deep systemic failures in capital budget spending, infrastructure maintenance, and governance,…
The ballot box is only the beginning
South Africa’s local elections present a crucial test of electoral integrity and democratic resilience, demonstrating whether declining support for ruling parties can coexist…