With South Africa heading to the polls on Wednesday, political leaders used their final rallies and campaign appearances to make their cases to voters, with service delivery, accountability and the future of local government taking centre stage.
ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa addressed supporters at the party’s provincial rally in Polokwane, Limpopo, where he urged voters to hold councillors accountable for failing to deliver essential services.
The ANC is hoping to retain all 27 municipalities it currently controls in the province. Ramaphosa promised stricter oversight of councillors, including regular public meetings, the publication of municipal budgets and audit outcomes, and accountability for every cent spent.
He also said ANC councillors would have 100 days to demonstrate tangible progress on issues affecting their communities.
Meanwhile, EFF leader Julius Malema used his address to supporters in Soweto to warn voters against choosing the Democratic Alliance in the upcoming elections.
Malema accused the DA of marginalising poor communities, arguing that the party’s approach to governance favoured wealthier residents while leaving others far from economic opportunities and essential services.
He also criticised what he described as the DA’s privatisation agenda, particularly concerning water, electricity and sanitation.
The DA, in turn, made its final appeal during a rally in Mamelodi, Tshwane.
Party leader Geordin Hill-Lewis urged South Africans to unite behind the DA, describing the elections as an opportunity to end what he called the chaos of ANC governance.
Hill-Lewis told supporters that the party wanted to turn the ANC’s decline into South Africa’s recovery. He also framed Wednesday’s vote as the first step towards a DA-led national government in 2029.
His message to Tshwane supporters was clear: “Stop the chaos, start delivery.”
As the campaign period draws to a close, the three parties have presented sharply contrasting visions for the country’s municipalities.
Ramaphosa is promising greater accountability within the ANC, Malema is warning against a DA victory, while Hill-Lewis is asking voters to give his party an opportunity to govern.
Ultimately, the decision rests with South Africans, who will head to the ballot box on Wednesday to decide who they believe can best deliver services and improve their communities.