RAMAPHOSA’S BLUEPRINT FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM

By FixLocal

South Africa’s local governments face mounting challenges, from weak administrations to failing service delivery. In the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered on 12 February, President Ramaphosa has outlined a comprehensive set of remedies to restore accountability, improve infrastructure, and combat corruption.

Local government in South Africa stands at a crossroads, grappling with deep-rooted issues that threaten the well-being of communities and the integrity of public institutions. President Ramaphosa has acknowledged these challenges and proposed a series of targeted reforms to address them head-on.

8 challenges identified by Ramaphosa

Weak Administrations: Many local governments lack technical capacity and merit-based governance, and are governed by patronage rather than competence. ​

Insufficient Accountability: Local governments suffer from a lack of accountability, as highlighted by the Auditor-General. ​

Failing Service Delivery: Many municipalities fail to deliver basic services such as water, sanitation, and electricity. ​

Poor Financial Management: Mismanagement of funds, including using water revenue for purposes other than upgrading and maintaining infrastructure. ​

Neglect of Infrastructure: Poor planning and inadequate maintenance of water systems have led to unreliable access to basic services like water. ​
Corruption: Corruption in procurement systems is a major issue, with the Auditor-General identifying it as a significant source of problems.
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Complex and Fragmented System: The current local government system is overly complex, expecting even small and weak municipalities to handle numerous responsibilities. ​

Widespread Instability: Weak institutional capability and instability are prevalent in local governments. ​