2026 Elections | Joburg residents demand action and accountability

Johannesburg residents say the 2026 Local Government Election results must mark a turning point in how political parties engage with communities, warning that incoming leaders will be judged on their ability to create jobs, improve service delivery and restore public confidence in local government.

With the African National Congress (ANC) losing significant electoral support and the Democratic Allaince (DA) emerging as the largest party in Johannesburg, residents told YNews on Monday that the changing political landscape reflects growing frustration with political promises that have yet to translate into meaningful improvements in people’s lives.

Resident Thato Gololo believes the results signal a move away from unconditional political allegiance, with voters increasingly demanding accountability and tangible change.

He says the performance of smaller parties also points to a growing appetite for alternatives, although he is disappointed that his preferred parties did not perform as well as he had hoped.

Gololo says incoming political leaders must prioritise clean governance, clean audits and merit-based appointments, rather than rewarding political connections.

He believes hung councils could also create opportunities for greater accountability by forcing political parties to negotiate and work together, while proving their ability to govern effectively.

Another Johannesburg resident has welcomed the changing political landscape, saying the ANC’s declining support shows that South Africa’s democracy remains alive and that smaller parties should be given an opportunity to participate in government.

However, Sanele Zuma says the outcome has also left him uncertain about the country’s political direction, describing the results as unprecedented.

Meanwhile, concerns about youth unemployment and service delivery have also featured prominently in residents’ concerns.

One resident says political parties must stop treating young people as election statistics and start addressing the challenges affecting their futures, particularly unemployment and the lack of meaningful economic opportunities.

The resident says the election outcome should serve as a reminder that young people expect more than campaign promises, with elected leaders now expected to demonstrate their commitment through tangible action.

The Electoral Commission declared the 2026 Local Government Elections free and fair, with voter turnout reaching 52%, compared to 45.9% in 2021.

Nationally, the ANC remained the largest political party, securing 30.76% of the vote, down from 45.6% in the previous local government elections.

In Johannesburg, the DA secured the largest share of the vote at 34.79%, followed by the ANC at 20.25% and ActionSA at 16.27%.

With coalition negotiations expected in several hung municipalities, residents say the real measure of political change will not be who secures positions of power, but whether the new leadership can improve the everyday lives of the people they represent.

As South Africa reflects on the conclusion of the 2026 LGE, Commissioner Mosotho Moepya, Chairperson of the IEC, reminds us that protecting our democracy is a shared responsibility; from the voter who exercises their right, to the candidate who respects the outcome.

#2026LGE https://t.co/oTxUopR8Wn

— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) November 9, 2026

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe