With service delivery failures affecting communities, voters must look beyond political promises and choose parties with a proven track record of delivering basic services.

This is the view of Amanda Gouws, a professor of political science at Stellenbosch University ahead of next month’s Local Government Elections (LGE)

Registered voters will head to the polls on Wednesday 4 November.

Party manifestos

Gouws urged voters to scrutinise party manifestos and use them to hold elected politicians accountable.

“If you have decided on a party, then you need to look at that party’s manifestos. All kinds of promises are made in that manifesto and often they are just empty promises. The only way to keep politicians accountable is to be able to refer to their manifestos when they do get a seat in the municipality.”

While smaller parties may have limited influence on their own, Gouws said they could play a crucial role in determining which parties gain enough support to form coalition governments.

“Small parties don’t have a lot of power, but they are important where we have coalitions. They can take other parties over the 50% threshold, in order for a coalition government to govern they need 50% or more of the votes.”

Gouws warns that campaign promises do not always translate into action.

“If there are bigger parties in your voting district, look at who they are and vote for the one that have a good track record in service delivery.

“Ask yourself does the party currently in power in your municipality delivering the services, or do you have problems with water, sewerage, and garbage removal. If you do face these challenges, then don’t vote for that party because they have already shown that they can’t do the work. Look at all these issues and then make a choice, don’t just blindly vote for a party.”

When asked what her predications are for the LGE, Gouws said: “In 2024 on the national level we saw the decline of the ANC in power and I think we will see more of that which mean we are going to have more coalitions especially in the metro and in the smaller municipalities.”

Cast your vote

Gouws urged voters to go vote, emphasising that casting their ballots is essential to holding local government accountable.

“Go and vote, this is about your life, and the basic needs that you need to fulfil. It is to your benefit to go and vote.”

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