FROM THE CEO
This coming Wednesday, Cape Town votes. I encourage every member, and every member of your teams, to make time to vote; and to vote with your head, not just your heart.
When choosing who will lead our city, it’s worth looking beyond the emotion of the moment. What matters is how decisions translate into the things that shape our daily lives: reliable services, functioning infrastructure, safer communities and an environment in which businesses can invest, grow and create jobs.
Take the time to consider what your community needs, what your own experience tells you, and which priorities will make a tangible difference. Look at the record, weigh up the commitments and consider what they mean in practice. The choices made at the ballot box will help shape Cape Town’s direction long after election day.
A well-functioning city benefits everyone who lives, works and does business here. The more thoughtfully we make our choices, the better placed we are to help shape its future.
Make an informed choice. Make your vote count.
FOCUS ISSUE
Five Questions to Ask Before You Vote
With Cape Town’s local government elections just a few days away, the focus is on what municipalities need to deliver and what voters should look for when assessing their options. Beyond campaign promises, the real test is what each party proposes to do about the issues that shape our daily lives, our communities and the local economy.
- Are essential services being delivered reliably?
Consider water, electricity, sanitation, roads and public safety. What is working, what isn’t, and what concrete plans are in place to address service delivery gaps?
- How will public money be spent?
Look at how the municipality plans to manage its budget, prioritise infrastructure and control spending. Are its priorities clear, and is funding directed towards the services and infrastructure residents and businesses depend on?
- Will it be easier to get things done?
From building plan approvals to land-use applications and infrastructure connections, delays can hold back investment and increase costs. What will be done to make municipal processes more efficient, predictable and transparent?
- How will performance be measured and accountability enforced?
Are there clear commitments, measurable targets and regular public reporting? What happens when promised improvements do not materialise?
- Does the municipality have the capability to deliver?
Plans only matter if they can be implemented. Consider the skills, leadership, administrative capacity and coordination needed to turn commitments into results.
Ultimately, the focus should be on what matters most to the people who live and work in Cape Town, and on the plans to address those priorities.
Question: As you prepare to vote, which issues matter most to you and what would you like to see change?
A CLOSER LOOK
Know Your Ballot: Two Votes, Two Purposes
Ahead of next week’s local government elections, it’s worth understanding what each vote on the ballot paper means.
- Your ward vote
This is your vote for the candidate you want to represent your ward on the City Council. Your ward councillor represents your local area and its interests, bringing community concerns to the municipality.
- Your proportional representation (PR) vote
This is your vote for a political party to represent you on the City Council. Seats are allocated according to each party’s share of the PR vote, helping determine the overall composition of the council.
Together, these two votes help determine both who represents your local ward and the balance of representation across the City Council.
Before you head to the polls, remember:
- You can only vote at the voting station where you are registered.
- Bring your valid ID: a green barcoded ID book, smart ID card or valid temporary identification certificate.
Knowing what each ballot represents, and being prepared on the day, helps you make your vote count.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
- Confirm Your Voting Details Before Election Day
The IEC’s online finder allows you to confirm your registration status, ward and designated voting station ahead of election day.
Check your details on the IEC Voting Station Finder.
- Election Misinformation: Check Before You Share
Every election season brings a wave of political content, but not all of it is accurate. Be wary of misleading claims, manipulated images and AI-generated content. Check the source and verify the facts before sharing.
For election-related claims, Africa Check’s 2026 Local Government Election Hub tracks and debunks misinformation.
Suspected election disinformation can also be reported through Real411.
NUMBER OF THE WEEK
45.87%
The proportion of registered voters who cast a ballot in South Africa’s 2021 local government elections. Of the country’s 60.14 million people in 2021, around 26.2 million were registered to vote. Just 12.06 million turned out, making it the lowest municipal election turnout since 2000.
IEC 2021 Municipal Elections Report
Research by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung found that reasons for not voting included dissatisfaction with local government performance, disillusionment and lack of interest.
But frustration with local government doesn’t lessen the impact its decisions have on our daily lives, our communities or our businesses. Municipal councils make decisions about the services, infrastructure and conditions that affect us all.
Voting with your head means looking beyond frustration, weighing up the choices and making an informed decision. When fewer people vote, every vote cast carries greater weight in determining who represents the community.
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