2026 Local Government Manifesto

The seven municipal priorities.

Rooted in our manifesto commitment, Jobs, Water and Service Delivery Now. These seven programmes form the basis of our municipal governance covenant.

Seven programmes for capable, productive, developmental and accountable local government.

Jobs and Skills Development

Build municipal skills and productive local economies that create work.

Rebuild technical teams and expand direct municipal employment and practical training.
Link apprenticeships, internships and work placements to real service and maintenance needs.
Support local industrial production, agriculture, enterprises, cooperatives and the care economy.

Reliable water and dignified sanitation, supported by maintained infrastructure.

Repair leaks, maintain networks and treatment plants, and expand water infrastructure.
Improve fault response, communicate restoration progress and publish water-quality information.
Develop appropriate water resilience through scientifically managed groundwater, harvesting, storage and reuse, subject to the required assessments and standards.

Practical municipal services, safer public spaces and visible responsibility.

Set ward service targets and publish performance reports for essential services.
Maintain electricity, roads, stormwater, waste systems, transport facilities and public infrastructure.
Improve lawful municipal safety, housing and settlement services, and access to support for qualifying households.

Make municipal land a transparent foundation for dignity and production.

Audit, map and publish suitable municipal land and allocation criteria.
Release and service land lawfully for housing, education, industry, agriculture, recreation and community use.
Protect public land from corruption and private capture through fair processes and consultation.

Build local economies that produce, trade and create opportunity.

Develop ward economic plans connecting skills, resources, demand and employment opportunities.
Support small businesses, informal traders and cooperatives with practical infrastructure and market access.
Localise procurement where lawful and practical, strengthen local production and develop productive economic hubs.

Honest leadership, professional administration and responsible public finances.

Strengthen integrity measures, lifestyle audits, corruption reporting and consequence management.
Base appointments on competence and lawful processes; rebuild municipal capacity and reduce unnecessary tender dependence.
Connect budgets to service outcomes and improve transparent financial monitoring.

Keep communities involved in the decisions and services that shape their lives.

Hold regular ward accountability meetings and enable participation in planning and priorities.
Work fairly with traditional, royal, religious and community institutions within their lawful roles.
Support learning, culture, sport, connectivity, inclusive facilities and disaster resilience.