JACOB MTHEMBU | A silent majority decides nothing

The outcome of South Africa's 2026 local government elections will not hinge on rally crowds, opinion polls, or social-media sentiment, but on the precise number of registered voters who turn up at the ballot box. Because local governance relies on a combination of proportional representation and ward contests across 257 municipalities, actual turnout serves as the definitive driver of political power. Following historic lows in voter participation during the 2021 municipal elections, differential turnout continues to reshape council seats and fuel the rise of hung councils. Ultimately, the authority and accountability of municipal leadership depend entirely on ballots counted on election day rather than passive public preference.