Local government is where democracy is felt, where it must deliver
SABC News | 03.11.2026 16:43
On 4 November 2026, South African will once again be asked to exercise one of democracy’s most important rights; the right to choose who governs them. It is easy to think of elections as a moment of listening to campaign promises, watch leaders compete for power and marking a ballot. But for most people, democracy is not an abstract idea, nor is it experienced only during an election campaign. It is experienced every morning when a tap runs dry, when electricity is interrupted, when refuse is left uncollected, when a road becomes impassable, or when a resident spends hours trying to look for alternatives of keeping themselves safe. Local government is where democracy becomes tangible. It is also where its promises are most tested.
