Local government is where politics gets real — your water, roads, rates, rubbish and electricity. But how much do we actually understand about the people and systems running our municipalities?
In a podcast brought to you by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, journalist Nickolaus Bauer cuts through the jargon, political noise and municipal mythology in South Africa’s Easy Elections Guide: Local Government 2026.
In this episode, he considers Mangaung, where electoral drama last month saw the ANC left off the Electoral Commission of South Africa’s ballot for the Free State metro. That issue has been resolved in the ANC’s favour, but it remains to be seen how voters will treat a party that’s up to now overseen a failing municipality. Mangaung is ripe with opportunity, but has failed to turn its assets into reliable services and economic growth. Will this election prove different?