JOHANNESBURG, Gauteng — As political parties intensify preparations for the 2026 Local Government Elections, critical questions surrounding electoral readiness, coalition politics, and service delivery are dominating the national discourse. According to political analyst Prof Ntsikelelo Breakfast, the current electoral landscape is defined by competing party manifestos, technical challenges at the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), and growing internal friction within the African National Congress (ANC).
Addressing recent manifesto launches, Prof Breakfast highlighted the centrist approach of the Build One South Africa (BOSA) party. Led by Dr. Mmusi Maimane, the party’s five-pillar plan prioritizes resolving severe water and electricity service delivery shortages while promoting ethical leadership at the municipal level. While praising the party’s balanced political framing, Prof Breakfast noted that low rally turnouts suggest the leadership must ensure its promises translate into tangible delivery to win over voters on the ground.
The political discourse shifts notably to the left with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). During a recent address in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga, EFF leader Julius Malema focused on the crippling cost of electricity and the dangers of water privatization. Prof Breakfast observed that Malema correctly highlighted the paradox of Mpumalanga residents struggling with energy access and health implications from coal-fired power stations, despite the province being a primary coal supplier. However, he cautioned that the EFF must take responsibility for past coalition leadership failures in municipalities like Johannesburg to build broader public trust.
A major focal point of the election buildup is the ANC’s missed deadline for candidate registration. The party attributes the failure to a glitch in the IEC’s online system, while the electoral body maintains the deadline was simply missed, potentially forcing the matter to the electoral court. Prof Breakfast argued that the ANC is likely “barking up the wrong tree,” suggesting the party left the submission to the eleventh hour, echoing similar logistical issues the party faced in 2021. He recommended the ANC institute internal disciplinary action against those responsible for the oversight, questioning how voters can trust a party that struggles to register its own candidates on time.
This incident underscores broader concerns regarding the IEC’s dependability. Prof Breakfast warned that the commission must proactively bridge any technical gaps to prevent political factions, such as the MK party, from exploiting the situation to delegitimize the electoral process. While acknowledging that no election is entirely flawless and minor administrative errors are normal, he emphasized that any large-scale claims of irregularities must be backed by concrete evidence to maintain public confidence.
Compounding the ANC’s challenges is a newly surfaced legal battle within its ranks. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has reportedly filed an opposing affidavit against ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula. While Prof Breakfast characterized the dispute as a personal legal matter rather than an organizational one, he acknowledged that such public infighting paints a detrimental picture of party disunity during a critical pre-election period when a unified front is expected.
As the 2026 Local Government Elections approach, the intersection of manifesto promises, institutional credibility, and internal party cohesion will remain under intense public scrutiny.
