Their Vote Election Day Public Holiday IEC vote South Africa
Photo Credit: Darryn Van Der Walt

Local government elections is a chance for citizens to vote for the people who they believe will best look after their service delivery interests.

South Africa has many well-run municipalities, but equally, there are those that are struggling because of poor management, corruption or a lack of adequate resources.

A recent survey by non-profit advocacy and research organisation Good Governance Africa (GGA) involved all of South Africa’s local and metropolitan municipalities, showing that all are not equal in terms of efficient functioning and reliable service delivery.

The 2016 Government Performance Index found that, of the 20 top-performing municipalities, 15 were in the Western Cape, three were in the Northern Cape and two were in the Free State.

The overall top municipality was Swellendam in the Western Cape.

The 20 worst-performing municipalities were almost exclusively in the Eastern Cape (12) and KwaZulu-Natal (six), with one in the North West and one in Limpopo.

However, in comparing municipalities like this, it is important to factor in their economic backgrounds.

Municipalities in the Eastern and Northern Cape are largely rural while those in Gauteng and the Western Cape are more developed, with more advanced infrastructure.

The basic levels of functioning of these municipalities will therefore differ, although incompetence and maladministration will cripple even the most efficient systems. Municipalities were assessed on 15 indicators covering three broad categories – service delivery, economic development, and administration. .

The results of this, and other reports such as that of the auditor-general’s municipal audit, show how important it is for communities to be involved in the choosing of their municipal representatives.

The election will decide who controls South Africa’s 278 municipalities, which oversee parks, libraries, sanitation, some roads and electricity and water distribution. The councilor and mayoral jobs are highly prized in a country with a 27 percent unemployment rate.

The municipalities had joint revenue amounting to 309 billion rand ($22.3 billion) in the year ending June 2015, with the bulk of the money coming from central-government grants, electricity sales and property taxes.

Several municipalities will be combined over coming months, reducing the total number to 257, according to the local government ministry.

Municipal elections differ from national elections in that people vote for individuals as well as for a party – these directly elected individuals become the ward councillors.

In metros and local councils, half of the council seats are allocated to ward councillors (ward ballot paper) and the other half are allocated to political parties (proportional representation or PR ballot paper).

Come Wednesday evening, a total of 26 333 3535 million voters on the voters’ roll would have hopefully cast their votes. The IEC said this is approximately 77% of the eligible voting population.

There are about 22 612 voting stations across the country, 204 political parties contesting these elections, 63 654 candidates, 855 independent candidates and 4 649 unique ballot papers.

People participate in local government firstly by voting in municipal elections and secondly, by exercising their right to be involved in the running of the municipality, being aware of the municipality’s plans for development, knowing who their ward councillor is and how to contact him or her.

These actions will all contribute to the ability of residents to hold municipalities to account in the provision of essential services and development of the local economy, and ensure that taxpayers’ money is spent wisely and efficiently.

For all to enjoy a brighter future, the lives of all citizens need to be improved; administration, economic and social development, and service delivery need to be prioritised, especially in those areas most in need!

So go out there and vote! Let there be ink on thumbs for days. Wear it proudly. Be part of South Africa’s democracy.

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About the Author

Brent Lindeque is the founder and editor in charge at Good Things Guy.

Recognised as one of the Mail and Guardian’s Top 200 Young South African’s as well as a Primedia LeadSA Hero, Brent is a change maker, thought leader, radio host, foodie, vlogger, writer and all round good guy.

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