Yasmin Bilal
Government says preparations for the 2026 Local Government Elections, scheduled for 4 November 2026, are progressing steadily, with several key administrative and electoral milestones already completed.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa told Parliament during the department’s 2026/27 Budget Vote on Wednesday that coordination between government structures and the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has been strengthened to support readiness for the nationwide municipal poll.
He said the IEC is continuing with voter registration processes and other preparatory activities, while intergovernmental structures are working to ensure operational readiness across municipalities.
According to Hlabisa, major milestones already achieved include the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Committee on municipal elections, the finalisation of councillor allocations, and the delimitation of 4,488 municipal wards across the country.
He said the electoral process must reinforce confidence in democratic institutions, adding that government remains committed to ensuring elections that are free, fair and credible.
Hlabisa also highlighted ongoing challenges in local government, including instability, weak administration and poor accountability, which he said continue to undermine service delivery in some municipalities.
To address these issues, he said reforms are under way aimed at professionalising municipal administration, improving competency-based recruitment, strengthening performance management systems and promoting ethical leadership.
The Minister tabled a combined R423.4 billion budget for the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs for the 2026/27 financial year, with R422.5 billion allocated to Cooperative Governance and R900 million to Traditional Affairs.
On the Traditional Affairs portfolio, Hlabisa said the government is advancing legislative reforms, including the introduction of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Bill of 2025, following a Constitutional Court ruling that extended the validity of existing legislation to allow for finalisation of new laws.
He said work is also continuing to formally recognise Khoi-San communities, strengthen customary governance structures and integrate traditional leadership into development planning.
Hlabisa reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reducing fatalities linked to customary initiation practices, saying stricter enforcement and stronger accountability measures are being developed.
He added that closer cooperation between traditional leadership structures and municipalities remains essential for rural development and improved service delivery.