LOCAL ELECTIONS 2026: Manifesto test: The revolution promised, the record questioned

ActionSA candidates have outlined ambitious plans for KwaZulu-Natal municipalities ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections, emphasizing transparency, accountability and improved service delivery. Three mayoral candidates, Zwakele Mncwango for eThekwini, Halalisani Ndlovu for KwaDukuza, and Zwe Nxumalo for Newcastle, spoke publicly on Saturday, detailing their strategies to address pressing local concerns such as corruption, poor infrastructure and inadequate public services. Mncwango, who serves as the provincial chairperson of ActionSA, presented a ten-point plan aimed at revitalizing eThekwini. Among his proposals is the insourcing of essential municipal services to reduce reliance on external contractors. He also pledged to conduct lifestyle audits on all councillors to monitor personal expenditures and protect whistleblowers who expose misconduct. Mncwango criticized the failed Go! Durban project, highlighting inefficiencies in public transport. He announced a summit with transport experts and stakeholders within 30 days to resolve ongoing delays and implement practical solutions. Funding decisions will be contingent upon a full audit, ensuring fiscal discipline. He stressed that public transport is vital for daily life, noting that many residents face dry taps, unemployment and crime each morning. His vision centers on placing residents above politics, ensuring equitable access to quality services and reinvesting savings from corruption back into the community. Ndlovu, the candidate for KwaDukuza, expressed frustration with the prolonged neglect of municipal responsibilities. He emphasized that citizens have endured years of substandard service delivery, with budget allocations and project timelines often mismanaged. Ndlovu observed that the disconnect between internal governance and external realities has led to widespread acceptance of poor performance as the norm. He argued that the root cause lies not with the populace but with leadership, asserting that the failure to meet basic needs stems from ineffective governance. His message resonated with residents who have grown weary of broken promises and unmet expectations. Nxumalo, representing Newcastle, focused on combating corruption, which he claims has contributed significantly to job losses and service delivery failures in the industrial town. He vowed to liberate the people from systemic graft, advocating for a transparent and accountable administration. ActionSA President Herman Mashaba underscored the importance of these initiatives, stating that the mayoral candidate announcements mark a pivotal step in the party’s campaign to restore public trust and promote sustainable economic growth. He reiterated that politicians are servants of the people, and that any councillor found guilty of corruption will be swiftly removed from office. Mashaba highlighted the severity of the corruption crisis in KZN, urging citizens to hold leaders accountable. Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) launched its manifesto ahead of the same elections, outlining a comprehensive strategy to tackle corruption and improve municipal governance. Party leader Geordin Hill-Lewis, who also serves as Cape Town mayor, unveiled the document in Johannesburg, accompanied by energetic campaign activities. The DA aims to win control of 60 municipalities, nearly doubling its current number of governed areas. Hill-Lewis emphasized three core guarantees: ensuring municipal jobs go to qualified individuals, safeguarding funds for water and electricity from misuse, and enhancing local safety through empowered policing. He declared that public money is never party money, reinforcing the DA’s zero-tolerance stance toward corruption. Under his leadership, the DA has committed to holding officials accountable for mismanagement and ensuring that resources are directed towards essential services. The manifesto also introduced measures to combat illegal land grabs and wasteful spending. It pledges to allocate funds exclusively for water and electricity, preventing them from being diverted to political projects or inflated salaries. Additionally, the DA supports legislative reforms to strengthen protections for residents facing eviction, ensuring that municipalities cannot remove occupants without judicial approval. The party advocates for increased municipal police authority to investigate crimes and prevent land invasions. The manifesto further outlines efforts to transition from black economic empowerment policies to a non-racial model targeting poverty reduction, promoting local job creation and support for small businesses in urban and rural areas. The DA’s focus on transparency and efficiency aligns with broader national discussions on municipal reform. While the party highlights its track record in governing effectively, critics argue that its promises remain largely aspirational. The National Water Action Plan, released earlier in July, addresses the systemic challenges facing South Africa’s water infrastructure. However, the plan is criticized for maintaining a narrow focus on engineering solutions while overlooking deeper institutional and environmental factors contributing to the crisis. Despite these critiques, the plan underscores the urgent need for coordinated national efforts to address the multifaceted nature of the water emergency. As the 2026 elections draw closer, both ActionSA and the DA are positioning themselves as potential contenders for reshaping local governance, offering contrasting yet overlapping visions for addressing the nation’s persistent challenges.