Pretoria:President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on newly elected councillors to prioritize service delivery, work across political differences, and restore public confidence in local government following the conclusion of the 2026 Local Government Elections.

According to South African Government News Agency, in his weekly newsletter to the nation on Monday, after the announcement of the election results by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) on Sunday, the President emphasized the need for councillors to prove themselves worthy of the trust placed in them by voters. He urged them to focus on addressing community needs and improving the functioning of municipalities.

The President highlighted the importance of local government as an engine room of service delivery and development. He called for councillors to listen and respond to residents, carry out their responsibilities with humility, and work cooperatively across political lines to elect office-bearers and begin their duties effectively.

Furthermore, President Ramaphosa pointed out that the incoming councillors would play a critical role in reshaping local government, guided by the revised White Paper on Local Government, which aims to improve municipal financial management and ensure reliable service delivery to residents. He noted that the election results demonstrated a public demand for municipalities to address everyday needs, such as employment opportunities and essential services.

Reflecting on the elections, the President congratulated the IEC for conducting the polls professionally and thanked the police, defense force, and government officials for ensuring a smooth and secure voting process. He also commended political parties and candidates for their responsible campaigning and highlighted the vibrant state of the country's democracy, as evidenced by the high voter turnout and participation of numerous political parties and candidates.

President Ramaphosa concluded by emphasizing the robustness of South Africa's constitutional democracy, especially as the country marks 30 years since the signing of its Constitution, and stressed the collective responsibility to ensure democracy delivers for all citizens.