Governance
latest news & developments
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…
Shorter queues, high satisfaction — but voter trust in IEC slips
An HSRC survey reveals South African voters experienced shorter queues and were satisfied with the 2026 municipal elections, even as trust in the IEC continues to slip.
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.
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…
Beyond the X lies a constitutional promise
Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka examines the constitutional mandate of local government, calling on coalition leaders and municipal officials to move past factional politics and…
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 vote was never the whole of freedom
Following local government elections, South Africa faces the critical task of translating the vote into municipal accountability, ethical governance, and sustained civic…
A moment in history
Reflecting on her granddaughter’s mock school election, Professor Thuli Madonsela examines why local government is the vital frontline of democracy, social justice, and ethical…
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…
When hunger knocked, we answered. Will our leaders do the same?
Reflecting on frontline food relief during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sello Hatang outlines crucial lessons on compassion, dignity, and anti-corruption for South Africa's incoming…
UCT weighs sanctions over ‘Islamist control’ claims
The University of Cape Town is considering disciplinary action against council members Mark Oppenheimer and David Ansara after an inquiry by retired judge Mahomed Navsa rejected…
DA wins back uMngeni by an increased majority, makes inroads in key KZN municipalities
The Democratic Alliance has secured a decisive victory in KwaZulu-Natal's uMngeni local municipality, retaining control with over 60% of the vote share.