Elections 2026
How is your municipality doing?
We are doing in depth reports on municipalities across the country ahead of the 2026 local elections.
Tshwane’s drinking water crisis a wake-up call for SA
Failing municipal sewage systems pollute drinking water for people beyond their jurisdictions
By Seth Thorne
News | 21 October 2026
No water, no vote, say residents of this Limpopo township
Families in Musina say they are sick of faulty municipal service
Brief | 20 October 2026
Only choose candidates who will fix your city, Joburg voters told
Residents’ Call to Save Joburg issued by civic organisations at 10th summit of the Joburg Crisis Alliance
By Seth Thorne
News | 20 October 2026
Hundreds of children fall ill after Tshwane fails to chlorinate water
Public was not warned that water was unsafe for drinking
By Seth Thorne and Warren Mabona
News | 19 October 2026
Elections 2026: Midlands municipality claws back millions in electricity revenue
uMngeni has installed nearly 1,900 smart meters to curb electricity losses
Feature | 19 October 2026
Homeless people demand answers from parties ahead of local elections
National Homeless Manifesto is a platform for the voices of homeless people to be heard, says Denis Hurley Centre director
News | 16 October 2026
Metro voters stayed home in 2021. Will this time be different?
In all metros, most registered voters didn’t go to the polls
Chart by The Outlier. Text by GroundUp Staff.
Charts | 16 October 2026
Elections 2026: Affordable housing – has the City of Cape Town done enough?
The City’s plans for 28,400 affordable homes may pay off but it won’t be soon
By Matthew Hirsch, Alice Scott and Daniel Steyn
Feature | 14 October 2026
Elections 2026: even the province couldn’t fix this municipality
Ditsobotla in North West has been failing for years
By Seth Thorne
Feature | 12 October 2026