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SONA SILENT ON ELECTORAL REFORM; CIVIL SOCIETY DEMANDS TIME‑BOUND ACTION BEFORE 2029
Issued by Daniela Ellerbeck on behalf of the FW de Klerk Foundation on 13/02/2026
One South Africa Movement (“OSA”), OUTA, the Center for Civic and Democracy Education, Project Youth South Africa, the FW de Klerk Foundation, the Independent Candidate Association South Africa (“ICA”), SoWeVote, Project Vote SA, and South African Youth Affairs note that last night’s State of the Nation Address contained no commitments to reform South Africa’s electoral system and call for a transparent, inclusive, time‑bound process to deliver changes well before the 2029 elections.
“South Africans want a system where politicians answer to them first. Reforms that put voter accountability ahead of party patronage are urgently needed, are non‑ partisan, and are a constitutional duty that strengthens Parliament’s hand against corruption,” the organisations said.
The Constitution requires “accountability, responsiveness and openness”. Civil society has consistently called for electoral reform to improve accountability; level the field between parties and independents; enhance transparency; and protect the value of each vote.
The Electoral Amendment Act, 2023 established the Electoral Reform Consultation Panel to advise on post‑2024 reform options and requires the Minister of Home Affairs to table a single report to Parliament for consideration. That report remains untabled, and SONA omission deepens concern that reform will not be delivered in time for 2029.
We, therefore, on the President, Cabinet and Parliament to immediately announce a transparent, inclusive, time‑bound process to consider electoral reform and the tabling of any necessary bills on a schedule that allows for demarcation and implementation ahead of 2029.
Issued by:
One South Africa Movement (NPC)
OUTA
Center for Civic and Democracy Education
Project Youth South Africa
FW de Klerk Foundation
Independent Candidate Association South Africa (NPC)
SoWeVote
Project Vote SA
South African Youth Affairs
MAY THE CAPE TOWN METROPOLITAN POLICE INVESTIGATE CRIME?
The ongoing crime crisis in South Africa, and particularly in Cape Town, has led to a constructive debate about the role and powers of municipal police services. While the South African Police Service (SAPS) is increasingly struggling to combat organized crime and violence effectively, the City of Cape Town has taken steps to establish its own investigative capacity.
INTRODUCING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT REPORT CARD 2026
The Local Government Report Card 2026 provides an independent assessment of 50 municipalities across all nine provinces, measuring performance against five pillars of constitutional local government. The findings reveal a sharply uneven picture, with strong institutional leadership and sound financial management consistently linked to better service delivery and public accountability. By presenting clear evidence of what works, what fails and where improvement is possible, the Report Card equips residents, councillors and policymakers to demand practical, measurable change.
MUNICIPAL FAILURE IS NOT INEVITABLE AND THIS REPORT PROVES IT
The FW de Klerk Foundation’s Local Government Report Card 2026 argues that municipal failure is not inevitable, but the result of identifiable institutional weaknesses that can be measured and addressed. Assessing 50 municipalities against 100 objective tests, the report highlights where local government is improving, where it is failing and what distinguishes high-performing municipalities from those in decline. It offers practical, evidence-based recommendations to strengthen constitutional governance, improve service delivery and make municipal recovery measurable.