Enos Mafokate: South Africa’s King of Horses sadly reaches the finish line

The Electoral Commission of South Africa has noted a significant 43% rise in candidates running for local government positions in the upcoming 2026 elections. A total of 142,072 individuals have submitted their nominations for 10,526 councillor seats, up from 99,000 in the 2021 elections. Political analyst Goodenough Mashego has suggested this surge could be attributed to unemployment and a newfound confidence among South Africans to engage in politics, challenging the notion of growing political apathy.

Mashego emphasized that the increase in people aspiring to become councillors is a positive sign, indicating that more individuals feel they can represent their communities and assume leadership roles. He pointed out that unemployment may also play a role, as some candidates might be drawn to the financial stability that comes with a councillor's salary.

Mashego clarified that the motivations for running for office vary, with some candidates attracted by the income and security that comes with the role. The analyst argued that the rise in nominations is not solely due to the number of political parties in the country, highlighting that more individuals are gaining confidence in their ability to represent communities without the backing of established political organizations.

Mashego noted that this trend is leading to a more fragmented political landscape, with smaller parties and independents believing they can challenge established parties at the local level. He predicted that this could result in more municipalities without a single political party securing enough seats to govern independently, potentially leading to a vacuum where parties must negotiate coalition agreements.

This shift could have significant implications for the November 4 elections, as more municipalities may be forced to form councils through negotiations, which could extend the formation process. The Electoral Commission is currently reviewing the nominations to ensure compliance with requirements, with the final list of candidates expected to be released on September 16.