South Africa's municipal election campaign heats up as parties vie for city control
The final stretch of the municipal election campaign has begun in South Africa, with the ANC and DA battling for dominance in major cities.
The closing phase of South Africa's municipal election campaign is underway, testing the two dominant parties, the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA), on local service delivery issues. ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa began his outreach with a door-to-door effort in Botshabelo, expressing confidence in his party's prospects. DA leader and Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis rallied several thousand supporters in Belhar, pledging increased security and employment.
Meanwhile, the conservative breakaway ActionSA campaigned in Emalahleni, focusing on crime and housing concerns, while the Economic Freedom Fighters and MK sought footholds in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal respectively. Additional groups like the Afrika Mayibuye Movement highlighted water scarcity and infrastructure problems in Limpopo. Public dissatisfaction with services is also manifesting in street protests against foreigners in Durban and Soweto.
Why it matters
The municipal elections will gauge public confidence in South Africa's ruling parties and shape control of essential local services.
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