As we approach the 2026 Local Government Elections, it is worth remembering one important distinction: these are local government elections.
Don’t be distracted by those who bring national or international issues into the conversation. While these matters may be important, your local government election is about the municipality that governs your city, town or community — and how well it serves the people who live there.
So, what should you be looking at when deciding who deserves your vote?
Here are seven areas worth considering.
1. Local service delivery – is your municipality doing the basics well?
Start with the services that affect your everyday life.
- Is there adequate housing provision, particularly for poorer residents and young families?
- Are streets and public spaces clean?
- Are sewerage problems attended to?
- Are potholes repaired, public areas maintained and grass cut?
- Is rubbish collected regularly?
- Are street lights working?
- Are there clean, safe and properly maintained play parks for children?
- Are local sports facilities maintained and recreational programmes available for children and young people?
- Does the municipality support meaningful local and community projects, rather than prioritising grandiose or vanity projects?
These are not luxuries. They are fundamental municipal responsibilities.
2. How well is the municipality governed?
Good governance is about more than having a mayor and a council in place. It is about how decisions are made, whose interests are considered and whether residents have a genuine voice.
Ask yourself:
- Are the mayor, Mayoral Committee members and Speaker willing to listen to everyone and govern in the interests of all residents?
- Does the governing party respect different views, or does it push decisions through regardless of public objections?
- Are municipal by-laws clear, fair and designed to help people live together harmoniously, while allowing small and informal businesses to thrive?
- Are by-law changes properly debated, or are they pushed through without adequate public scrutiny?
- Is the municipal budget open to meaningful public input, or is it simply approved without serious consideration of residents’ concerns?
- Do ward councillors genuinely account to their communities? Are ward committees representative, or are they made up only of people who agree with the councillor?
- Are council meetings accessible to residents, with opportunities to raise concerns and receive meaningful feedback?
- Do you feel welcome, included and heard in your own city?
3. Has the opposition done its job?
Opposition parties have an important role to play in local government. Their job is not simply to oppose for the sake of opposing, but to hold the governing party accountable and ensure that residents’ interests are not overlooked.
Consider the following:
- Have opposition councillors actively held the governing party to account?
- Could you rely on them to keep raising an issue until it was resolved?
- Did they use the media to inform residents about what was happening in council?
- Did they hold regular public meetings and engagement sessions?
- Did you feel you could approach an opposition councillor when you needed assistance?
- Were there particular opposition councillors or parties whose work stood out?
And what about parties that have not yet been represented in council? Have they been active in communities? Have they taken up local issues, challenged the authorities and demonstrated a commitment to serving society?
A party’s record should be measured by what it has actually done, not simply by what it promises.
4. Is your city safe?
Safety is central to quality of life.
- Can you walk freely and safely in your own neighbourhood?
- Can residents and visitors move safely through the city centre, along the beaches and in natural parks?
- Are municipal law enforcement officers visible on foot in residential streets and commercial areas, or is enforcement largely confined to vehicles and drones?
- How responsive are emergency services when residents call for assistance?
Safety is not just about statistics. It is also about whether people feel secure in the places where they live, work and spend their time.
5. Can you afford to live in your city?
The cost of living is not only about groceries and transport. Municipal charges can have a significant impact on household finances.
Ask yourself:
- Are your rates, water and electricity charges affordable?
- Are municipal tariffs reasonable when compared with those of other municipalities?
- Are rising charges placing so much pressure on households that long-standing residents are being forced to consider selling their homes?
- Is there an affordable, safe and reliable public transport system?
- Are municipal services providing value for what residents are paying?
A city should be a place where people can build a life, not one where the cost of staying becomes increasingly unaffordable.
6. What kind of municipality are you living in?
Beyond individual services and policies, consider the overall character of your municipality.
Is it caring and humane? Is it responsive and decisive, or kragdadig — heavy-handed and unwilling to listen? Does it serve all residents, or does it favour big business and those with money?
Think about whether:
- Public participation is meaningful and accessible, particularly on important decisions.
- Residents believe their contributions are genuinely considered.
- It is reasonably easy to get the municipality to attend to a problem.
- Council treats residents with dignity and respect.
- The municipality operates on a fundamental principle of accountability — that OUR WORD IS OUR HONOUR.
Ultimately, do you feel that your municipality works for you?
7. What is the council’s attitude towards corruption?
Corruption undermines public trust and diverts resources away from the people and services that need them.
Look at how allegations are handled:
- Does the council act decisively against officials or councillors implicated in corruption?
- Are allegations investigated promptly and independently?
- Are appropriate consequences imposed when wrongdoing is established?
- Are individuals implicated in misconduct simply moved to another position or department?
- Is accountability applied consistently, regardless of who is involved?
A municipality’s commitment to clean governance is reflected not only in what it says about corruption, but in what it does when allegations arise.
Make your choice count
These are local government elections. Your vote will help determine who makes decisions about your neighbourhood, your services, your safety, your municipal charges and the future of your community.
So, take the time to look beyond the slogans and campaign promises.
Look at the record. Ask the questions. Consider the answers. And apply your mind before deciding who you believe is best placed to represent your interests.
Your municipality. Your community. Your vote. Your choice.