Elections 2026
How is your municipality doing?
We are doing in depth reports on municipalities across the country ahead of the 2026 local elections.
Civic movements rise as ANC loses grip on Eastern Cape
New political party born from Ngcobo shutdown movement wins council seats
By GroundUp Staff, Nombulelo Damba-Hendrik and Johnnie Isaac
News | 10 November 2026
ANC loses ground in North West but remains biggest party
We reported from three troubled North West municipalities before the elections. Here’s what voters decided.
By Seth Thorne
News | 10 November 2026
Turnout up, ANC down, and a wave of coalitions
See the election results in four charts
Charts by The Outlier. Text by Daniel Steyn.
News | 9 November 2026
DA declares 60% majority in KZN municipality
“We said we would keep the chaos out … And that is exactly what we will do,” says uMngeni mayor Christopher Pappas
Brief | 5 November 2026
In photos: South Africans vote to shape the future of their municipalities
Millions of people came out to make their mark on 4 November
News | 4 November 2026
Our water is full of sewage. Today we can vote to change that
The lost years of local government must end
GroundView | 4 November 2026
City of Matlosana signs deal with dodgy security company
The company is under investigation by the SIU and has previously had a R140-million security contract terminated
By Seth Thorne
News | 3 November 2026
Free basic electricity would reduce poverty and inequality
The Electricity for All campaign has been held in the run-up to the municipal elections
By Jo-Anne Smetherham, Boitumelo Masipa and Ntombizodidi Mapapu
Opinion | 3 November 2026
Dirty water, raw sewage and bad audits: see how your town is doing
Use our interactive map to see how your municipality scores on drinking water, sewage and its audit before you vote on 4 November
Text by Steve Kretzmann. Data by Daniel Steyn.
Feature | 30 October 2026