By JD GLOBAL MEDIA
African National Congress (ANC) President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on South African municipalities and metropolitan councils to attract investment and expand employment opportunities in their communities.
He made the appeal while addressing the ANC’s Limpopo election rally in Polokwane on Saturday, 31 October 2026, ahead of the local government elections scheduled for 4 November.
Ramaphosa said municipalities should create conditions that encourage businesses to invest in towns and cities, arguing that local investment could support job creation.
He said ANC-led councils would increase procurement from local businesses and expand public employment opportunities.
The president also stressed that investment attracted to municipalities should produce tangible benefits for residents rather than remain a policy objective.
Municipalities and economic development
Ramaphosa’s remarks placed local economic development among the priorities of the ANC’s final election campaign activities.
Municipal councils have responsibilities that can influence whether businesses are willing to operate and invest in their areas. These include maintaining local infrastructure, providing reliable services and managing municipal processes.
The president called for municipalities to create an environment that supports investors while ensuring that economic activity benefits local communities.
His comments come as political parties campaign ahead of an election in which municipal service delivery, unemployment and local governance are major issues.
Accountability and service delivery
During the same Limpopo campaign event, Ramaphosa also addressed the responsibility of councillors to account for their performance.
He said ANC councillors would be expected to hold regular community meetings, make municipal budgets and audit outcomes available, and account for public expenditure.
He further said councillors would have 100 days to demonstrate progress on issues affecting their municipalities.
The commitments place greater emphasis on public accountability and measurable performance, although their implementation would depend on the actions of the councils elected after voting.
Election ahead
South Africans are scheduled to vote in the local government elections on Wednesday, 4 November 2026.
The results will determine the composition of municipal councils responsible for local administration and service delivery.
Ramaphosa’s appeal for another mandate comes as the ANC seeks to persuade voters that its municipal leadership can improve local economic conditions, attract investment and create employment.
The election will provide voters with an opportunity to assess the commitments made by political parties and decide who should govern their municipalities.
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