Vote for better communities, urges Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged South Africans to use Wednesday’s local government elections to demand better services and accountable leadership, as government prepares reforms aimed at fixing struggling municipalities.

In his weekly newsletter on Monday, Ramaphosa said voters faced an unprecedented choice, with 546 political parties and nearly 137,000 candidates contesting the 4 November elections, according to a statement issued by GCIS (SAnews).

“The voters of South Africa have an unprecedented breadth of choice of candidates and parties. However, when we vote on Wednesday, let us strive for better, safer, cleaner and more prosperous communities. Let us vote for progress and development,” he said.

Ramaphosa said reliable water, sanitation and electricity were essential to both living standards and economic growth. Businesses needed affordable services, maintained infrastructure and safe communities to invest.

The incoming leadership of eight metropolitan, 44 district and 205 local municipalities would take office as government pursued a reset of the local government system through the Revised White Paper on Local Government.

The proposed reforms include stronger financial management, improved revenue collection, reduced losses and tighter control over spending.

“One of the most important developments is that revenues from the sale of electricity and water will be ring-fenced to be reinvested in maintaining critical infrastructure. This will ensure that our infrastructure is brought back up to standard,” Ramaphosa said.

Other proposals include compulsory licensing requirements for water and electricity providers, appointments based on qualifications and competence, and transferring responsibilities to another sphere of government or capable entity where municipalities cannot fulfil them.

Ramaphosa warned that weaknesses in municipal governance had enabled corruption and patronage, including collusion over tenders for poor-quality services or work never delivered.

“Sadly, what is supposed to be a democratic contest for the opportunity to serve communities has in some cases become a transactional arrangement. Some councillors who are ‘bought’ by businesspeople often put matters of procurement above the needs of our people,” he said.

He also condemned violence linked to competition for municipal power and resources, including the killing of candidates, councillors and officials.

Ramaphosa urged parties and voters to reject intimidation, saying police had conducted risk assessments and operational preparations to safeguard voting. Municipal failures had weakened public confidence in democratic governance, he said, but the elections offered an opportunity to rebuild it.

Sources: SAnews.gov.za; President Cyril Ramaphosa’s weekly newsletter, 2 November 2026.