eMalahleni, Mpumalanga — As South Africans head to polling stations for the final weekend of voter registration ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections, ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa is urging citizens to look past historical service delivery frustrations. Highlighting sweeping infrastructure investments, energy stability, and democratic maturity, Ramaphosa emphasized that people should recognise that positive progress is taking place in SA, pointing to tangible economic reforms and over 400 days without load shedding as proof that the nation is moving forward.
Addressing the media in Mpumalanga on the final day of the national registration weekend, Ramaphosa dismissed suggestions of voter apathy. He noted a strong civic mood across the country, encouraging South Africans to register and update their details before voting stations close between 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. this weekend.
Addressing Service Delivery and Infrastructure Investments
When pressed on the frustrations of voters sitting at home without reliable water or refuse collection, the ANC President acknowledged past failures but pivoted to highlight current government interventions. He announced a massive 1 trillion rand infrastructure deployment that is now beginning to yield visible results.
According to Ramaphosa, the government recently launched 67 water projects nationwide, with major and mega water projects currently underway in both metropolitan and rural areas. He noted that water is now reaching villages and sidewalks, with rural home delivery and urban reservoir reticulation fixes on the horizon.
“Yes, there are still serious problems with service delivery. We will never run away from that,” Ramaphosa stated. “But they are being addressed with greater determination.”
He added that economic “green shoots” are maturing into small plants, driven by structural reforms in logistics, water, electricity, and road construction—improvements that are increasingly being recognized by global rating agencies and financial institutions. Furthermore, he assured the public that illegal mining and police corruption are being aggressively tackled.
Energy Stability and the Eskom “Privatization” Debate
A major focal point of the briefing was the country’s energy sector. Ramaphosa celebrated a milestone of over 400 days without load shedding, noting that the Minister of Electricity and Energy is fervently working to resolve remaining “load reduction” challenges.
He also strongly pushed back against critics who claim that the unbundling of Eskom and the creation of a new transmission company amount to the privatization of the state power utility. Ramaphosa clarified that the state will retain full ownership of Eskom and the transmission grid, which includes plans to build 14,000 kilometers of new state-owned transmission lines.
The introduction of private players, he explained, is strictly to foster market competition and drive down prices. He drew a direct comparison to the telecommunications sector, noting that opening the market to competitors like Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, and Rain ended the state monopoly, dropped prices, and pushed telecom penetration to 150%.
“Those who talk about privatization are lying to the public,” Ramaphosa declared. “We are a mixed economy country where the private sector as well as the public sector have room to play.”
Safeguarding the PIC and Local Economic Boosts
Ramaphosa also addressed recent governance challenges at the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), Africa’s largest asset manager. Managing nearly 3.6 trillion rand—almost half of the country’s GDP and the pension funds of civil servants, teachers, and parliamentarians—the PIC recently saw the appointment of a new chairperson to implement recommendations from a party commission.
Ramaphosa assured the public that there is no crisis at the PIC. Instead, the government’s interventions are aimed at solidifying stability, a move that has been applauded by the markets rather than triggering a negative response.
On a local level, the President highlighted a newly opened renewable wind energy project covering Bethal, Davel, and Morgenson. Led by a black-owned and managed company, the facility is driving job creation and supporting women- and youth-led SMMEs in towns previously untouched by major economic development. He also teased an upcoming Tuesday launch for a new hospital in Middelberg, deferring questions regarding the facility’s exact expenditure and job creation metrics to the official unveiling.
Finalizing the 2026 Voters Roll
As the registration weekend draws to a close, the country prepares for the official proclamation of the 2026 Local Government Elections scheduled for November 4.
The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs—who also serves as the President of the Inkatha Freedom Party—is set to sign the official election proclamation. This critical administrative step will allow the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to officially close and finalize the national voters roll, setting the stage for a highly contested municipal ballot featuring a growing number of political parties.
“Our democracy is maturing. It’s becoming more and more stable,” Ramaphosa concluded. “We are not standing in one place. We are not stagnant. We are moving forward.”
