The local election campaign shifts into high gear this week as MPs and MPLs hit the ground, while the electoral commission verifies candidate lists. Here’s what else is on the political and economic radar in the days to come.
Politics
MPs and MPLs start constituency period
With MPs and members of the provincial legislature starting their constituency periods, the next few weeks of the local government campaign will concentrate on door-to-door visits and ground campaigns by the major political parties, following the submission of candidate lists to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) on Friday.
IEC information update
A total of 519 parties reportedly submitted candidates’ names and lists by 5pm on Friday August 27. The IEC is currently verifying the relevant candidates and lists, and will provide preliminary figures on candidates contesting the November 4 election by the middle of this week.
IFP president to make ‘key election announcements’
IFP president Velenkosini Hlabisa will be holding a press conference in Durban on Monday to “make significant election-related announcements”. The IFP faces a heated contest with the MK Party across the length and breadth of KwaZulu-Natal.
Parliamentary calendar
Parliament’s very short third term will end on Monday, with the impeachment committee for the section 89 inquiry (the Phala Phala impeachment committee) receiving a legal opinion on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s objection to the appointment of advocate Thandazani Madonsela as evidence leader.
Economics
Absa manufacturing PMI (August 2026)
Absa will release the August results for its purchasing managers’ index on Tuesday morning. July’s reading of 46.8 points was the lowest since December 2025 and the second consecutive month of contraction. Despite easing price pressures, any recovery in the sector is expected to be slow, and August’s PMI number is not expected to differ much from July’s.
New vehicle sales (August 2026)
July’s vehicle sales were buoyed by stable interest rates and cheaper imports, rising for the fourth consecutive month to 57,700 units. Consumer demand remained strong through August, and some analysts believe that sales over the past month could have reached the 58,000 level. The latest sales figures will be released on Tuesday afternoon.
S&P Global PMI (August 2026)
S&P Global will release its August purchasing managers’ index on Thursday morning. The June and July readings were just the right side of 50 points, painting a picture of weak growth in an economy with a mix of headwinds and tailwinds. Price pressures have eased but business activity remains subdued and employment growth is weak. August’s index reading is expected to remain close to 50.
This article is published courtesy of The South Africa Brief, a political newsletter published on Substack which is a collaboration between Paul Berkowitz and Jonathan Moakes. The South Africa Brief will be holding an in-person roundtable event in Cape Town on Wednesday September 2, with guests Mbali Ntuli and Tara Roos. The event will focus on the future of coalition politics and local government after the November election. If you would like to attend, please click on this link to register by Monday afternoon.