With local government elections happening in South Africa on 4 November 2026, it is essential to understand what the various political parties are saying in their manifesto’s and how they relate to our priorities. This breakdown looks at three thematic areas across nine political parties.

Thematic areas:

  • Climate and Environment
  • Energy and Electricity
  • Gender Justice

Political party manifestos reviewed:

  • African National Congress
  • Democratic Alliance
  • Economic Freedom Fighters
  • Action SA
  • Freedom Front Plus
  • Rise Mzansi
  • Build One South Africa
  • Good
  • United Democratic Movement

Climate & Environment

  • African National Congress
    • Considers municipal adaptation and environmental management commitments, particularly around flooding, disaster preparedness and resilient infrastructure.
  • Democratic Alliance
    • Considers climate mitigation and adaptation, water security, clean air and bio-diversity. The commitments look at several municipal environmental responsibilities.
  • Economic Freedom Fighters
    • A commitment to integrating climate adaptation into municipal planning, strengthening climate resilience and protecting ecological infrastructure – with a local environmental focus.
  • Action SA
    • Considers climate-related risks to infrastructure and communities, particulary flooding, drought, extreme heat and water scarcity. Mentions climate planning, reliable services and cleaner public spaces.
  • Freedom Front Plus
    • Emphasis on practical environmental measures, including recycling, job creation through waste projects, urban tree planting and improved firefighting capacity.
  • Rise Mzansi
    • Speaks to development with practical support for communities affected by heat, drought, food insecurity, and natural disasters. Industrial decarbonisation stated as a priority.
  • Build One South Africa
    • Focuses on water conservation, qualified municipal water leadership, localised waste and water treatment, with greater community involvement where municipal water services have failed.
  • Good
    • Integrates consideration into tariff design, green spaces, urban cooling and food growing opportunities. Environmental resilience noted throughout municipal services and community infrustructure.
  • United Democratic Movement
    • Recognises that municipalities are on the frontline of environmental and climate challenges. Floods, droughts, fires, pollution, waste collapse, soil erosion & poor land-use decisions affects on communities

Energy & Electricity

  • African National Congress
    • Focuses on enabling renewable energy and protecting access to basic electricity.
  • Democratic Alliance
    • Focus on reliable electricity supply, maintaining municipal infrastructure, diversifying electricity procurement and enabling alternative energy providers.
  • Economic Freedom Fighters
    • Emphasises universal access to affordable electricity, renewable energy technologies, and municipal generation. Focus on underserved households & community participation connecting to energy provision.
  • Action SA
    • Prioritises reliable electricity supply, infrastructure maintenance, reducing electricity losses and diversifying supply through alternative producers. Focus on municipal operational performance.
  • Freedom Front Plus
    • Focus on enabling renewable energy adoption through rebates, private electricity generation, and affordable alternative energy projects.
  • Rise Mzansi
    • A call to transition away from coal, scaling up renewable energy and storage, & supporting decentralised electricity generation and participation. Openness to gas and small modular nuclear reactors
  • Build One South Africa
    • No specific commitments beyond integration throughout service delivery points within the manifesto.
  • Good
    • Focus on affordability, fair billing, protection from landlord debt recovery and extending electricity support to tenants and backyarders.
  • United Democratic Movement
    • Focus on reliable electricity distribution and protection of municipal grids. Promotes rural revitalisation through: Improved electricity, alongside other basic services.

Gender Justice

  • African National Congress
    • Mentions a stronger commitment to GBVF prevention, vulnerable groups and gender-responsive budgeting.
  • Democratic Alliance
    • Emphasises community safety, local economic development and service delivery, stating it affects the daily lives of women and vulnerable groups.
  • Economic Freedom Fighters
    • Specific commitment to a targeted GBVF response programme.
  • Action SA
    • Recognises the role of municipalities in supporting survivors of GBV through referral systems, partnerships and frontline training.
  • Freedom Front Plus
    • No specific commitments on gender.
  • Rise Mzansi
    • Looks at the care burden carried by women and young people.
  • Build One South Africa
    • No specific commitments on gender beyond the mention of it in the guiding values and principles.
  • Good
    • Addressing GBV through survivor support, prevention education, and safer public spaces.
  • United Democratic Movement
    • Inclusive services for women, persons with disabilities, older persons, and vulnerable groups.

What To Do Next

Now that you’ve looked at these commitments across the three thematic areas, we encourage you to follow the below steps:

  • Create a list of things you want in a local leader/political party for yourself and your community
  • Have a look at the full manifesto’s of each political party – both mentioned here and not.
  • Research your local candidates and see if they are speaking to the manifesto’s and if they are speaking to your list things that make a leader.
  • On the 4th of November 2026, if you are registered to vote, go and vote! Your voice matters.
  • Most importantly, after you vote – regardless of the outcome, keep your list and make sure your elected officials do what they say they would. Keep the pressure on them and remember their actions in the next general elections.

Your Voice Matters! #PeoplesPower