MCEBISI NDLETYANA|
THOUGH a ritual, elections yield new insights about the state of the citizenry and the political elite. Life changes, either for the better or worse. Electoral outcomes are a statement about how citizens feel at that moment and signal their inclination to take charge of their future.
The level of turnout and the political choices voters make indicate whether citizens have resigned themselves to their problems, or are actively seeking solutions. And the 2021 local government elections in South Africa are certainly more about the citizenry than about the political elite.
Municipalities are in a shambolic state, and have been for a while. The auditor-general’s latest assessment report reads:
Most municipalities are in a worse position than at the beginning of this administration’s term in 2016-17.
It was always expected that some municipalities in rural and small towns would be worse off than others. Their revenue base is
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