DELPORT, EKURHULENI, GAUTENG — As South Africans participate in the final voter registration weekend ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections, the spotlight in Ekurhuleni has turned to severe service delivery challenges. In the Delport informal settlement, residents utilizing this opportunity to verify their voting details emphasize that access to clean water remains their most critical issue heading into the November 4 polls.
Thousands of voting stations are open nationwide, offering eligible citizens a last chance to register, verify their details, or update their voting addresses. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) previously reported that nearly three million South Africans took advantage of the first registration weekend, with a significant portion comprising young, first-time voters.
However, in Delport, a community of approximately 4,000 residents, the immediate reality is defined by a daily struggle for basic services. Community members report that seven communal taps in the settlement are consistently dry. Consequently, the neighborhood relies on a private water tanker outsourced by the Ekurhuleni municipality. While the tanker visits the area every day, residents argue the volume provided is far from sufficient to meet the community’s needs.
The water scarcity has led to dire sanitation and hygiene compromises. Local observations reveal that some women are forced to do their laundry underneath a bridge, exposing them to the health risks of raw sewage. Furthermore, the community depends on mobile toilets, with an estimated five families sharing a single unit. Residents note that these facilities are rarely cleaned, despite municipal guidelines requiring them to be serviced at least once a week.
Amidst these challenging conditions, voter engagement remains mixed. While some community members expressed confusion about the purpose of the registration weekend when questioned about their presence, others remain committed to the democratic process. One local resident, speaking on behalf of his neighbors, confirmed that he is successfully registered to vote and articulated a strong hope for tangible change in service delivery following the upcoming local government elections.
As the November 4 elections approach, the situation in Delport underscores a broader national narrative: while voter registration drives aim to strengthen democratic participation, citizens continue to demand that their fundamental rights to basic services, particularly water and sanitation, be actively addressed by incoming local leadership.
