HAMMANSKRAAL, GAUTENG — The upcoming Hammanskraal local government elections are heavily focused on the ongoing Tshwane water crisis, with service delivery emerging as the defining issue for voters in the region. As political parties battle for support in a municipality that has seen no outright majority in recent years, communities are demanding tangible solutions to the basic service failures that have plagued the area.
The City of Tshwane has experienced significant political instability, having had four mayors since the 2021 local government elections. Currently governed by a multi-party coalition since 2026, the municipality faces a fiercely contested electoral landscape. With 72 political parties contesting for over 200 seats on the city’s council, the fight to earn every vote is intensifying.
The Human Cost of the Water Crisis
At the heart of the voter frustration is a severe and ongoing water shortage, compounded by the memory of the 2023 cholera outbreak. The bacterial disease, which is rare in South Africa, claimed numerous lives in the Hammanskraal community after spreading through contaminated water.
A local resident, is still grieving the loss of his mother, who died during the outbreak. Holding onto a photograph of her 40th birthday celebration, Somalua describes her as his biggest supporter and the pillar of their home. He believes the tragic loss of life should have made resolving the area’s water issues the absolute top priority for leadership, though he remains undecided on whether he will cast a ballot this time around.
Wilson, a community leader in the area, expressed sorrow that lives had to be lost over a basic service that residents had raised concerns about for years. While water tankers frequently visit the area, Wilson notes that this emergency measure has been normalized for far too long.
“The solution is that we need drinkable water from our taps because you cannot guard your kids while they are playing outside,” Wilson stated.
The crisis has even impacted local healthcare. Earlier this year, patients at Jubilee Hospital—the very same facility where most cholera deaths occurred—were asked to bring their own water. Wilson criticized the repetitive nature of political campaigning in the region, noting that every party seems to have a “scriptwriter” who uses Hammanskraal’s lack of water merely to gun for votes.
Infrastructure Failures and Grassroots Solutions
A local water treatment plant in Temba was built to bring relief to residents, but it has consistently struggled to provide quality water over the years. Locals note that the facility’s presence means little if the water flowing from their taps remains undrinkable, restricting tap water use solely to household chores.
In the absence of reliable municipal supply, a local business owner has stepped in to help her neighbors. Selling water for just one rand per liter, she operates her business not for profit, but as a volunteer effort to ensure the community has access to reliable drinking water closer to home.
Expert Analysis on Governance and Coalitions
Roland Henwood, a political science lecturer at the University of Pretoria who has studied the city for 41 years, warns political parties against exploiting the genuine struggles of residents with simplistic messaging.
“The election is not only about water. It’s a simplistic message, and to my mind, if that’s the only message you’re giving people, you’re playing into their fears and hopes, but you’re also misleading them,” Henwood explained. He added that underestimating other critical issues is “criminal” and must not be allowed to happen again.
Henwood also issued a stark warning regarding the formation of political coalitions. He emphasized that alliances must be built on a combination of knowledge, expertise, and a commitment to stability, rather than merely keeping a specific party in power. He noted that past coalitions in Tshwane have often been developed to serve party interests rather than address the needs of citizens, which he identifies as a major downfall for good governance.
Looking Ahead to the Ballot Box
Beyond the water crisis, voters are also prioritizing job creation and unemployment. With previous local election voter turnout sitting at just over 45%, analysts hope that widespread frustration will motivate residents to vote in larger numbers. Many residents express a keen desire to try newer, smaller parties, feeling that older, established parties have repeatedly failed and disappointed them.
As the election draws near, the ultimate test will be whether voters turn their frustration into action at the ballot box, and whether the winning coalitions will finally deliver the stable, people-centered governance that Hammanskraal desperately needs.
