The ballot and the broken tap: why local elections are really about whether government still works

Daily FriendThando Nzimande · 5 November 2026 at 02:15

South Africans are not merely choosing councillors in the 2026 local government elections. They are passing judgment on whether the layer of government closest to their homes can still perform its most basic duty: delivering water, electricity, safety, roads and opportunity.
— Daily Friend

Read the full story on Daily Friend

This story was written and published by Daily Friend. Business.co.za shows its headline and teaser from the publisher’s RSS feed and links to the original.

What business people are saying

No comments yet. Be the first.

More in Economy & policy

All →

Daily Friend14 h ago

Renegotiating practical politics in SA through federalisation

This past Monday, 2 November, I took on a new role as the founding Head of the AfriForum Institute for Federalism, while retaining functions in the Free Market Foundation. Yesterday, millions went to the polls hoping to choose a better life for themselves and their families at the municipal level.

Economy & policy Read on Daily Friend ↗

Daily Friend14 h ago

The business of bringing back the dead

The woolly mammoth roamed the Earth until about 4,000 years ago. It may be coming back.

Economy & policy Read on Daily Friend ↗

Daily Friend14 h ago

Losing AGOA will hurt, but SA’s bigger problems are at home

On 2 November the United States said it intended to end South Africa's duty-free access under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) from 1 January 2027. President Donald Trump's letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa, dated 28 October, gives three grounds.

Economy & policy Read on Daily Friend ↗

Business Bagel14 h ago

Petrol passed R30 a litre in October, and South Africans still bought 10% more new vehicles

New-vehicle sales grew by a tenth in October even as petrol crossed R30 a litre, with car-hire fleets doing a share of the buying and fuel-levy relief only arriving today.

Economy & policy Read on Business Bagel ↗

Business Insider Africa10 h ago

Trump’s midterm rout gives Ramaphosa hope for US reset days after South Africa loses duty-free access to $24.1 billion trade partner

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has described Donald Trump’s defeat in the US midterm elections as a possible opening for a diplomatic and commercial reset between Africa’s most industrialised economy and its $24.1 billion American trading partner.

Economy & policy Read on Business Insider Africa ↗

Business Insider Africa10 h ago

After hitting Africa’s largest economy with a trade shock, the U.S. moves to block Chinese and Russian influence with a $625 million deal in Egypt

In Africa, the U.S. is cutting trade benefits for some partners while signing major investment agreements with others. After moving to end South Africa’s duty-free access to the U.S. market, Washington has recently signed a five-year economic agreement with Egypt worth $625 million.

Economy & policy Read on Business Insider Africa ↗