As South Africa heads towards the next local government elections, young people in Johannesburg are divided over whether their vote can really make a difference. SABC News brought together registered and unregistered youth, including students, unemployed young people, professionals, and entrepreneurs, to discuss what is driving their decision to vote or stay away from the polls. SABC News reporter Thato Letsaba sat down with the youngsters.

ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa says he has noted the grievances by the residents of Tembisa where he was on the campaign trail in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg.

The Electoral Commission has introduced its new Disinformation Code ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections. The Code sets out the rules ahead of the November 4th polls, and forms part of the Electoral Code of Conduct. Today, we get to unpack this code further with Elections Analyst, Paul Berkowitz on our video link.

Tessa Dooms, Director at the Rivonia Circle and executive chairman of the Institute of Election Management Services in Africa (IEMSA), Terry Tselane.

The race for municipal power is already taking shape. Various political parties launched their manifesto's, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). EFF has put access to clean and uncontaminated water on its agenda ahead of the November 4th Local Government Elections. The party says its 2026 Local Government Elections Manifesto is a practical solution to building stronger municipalities that deliver services, create jobs and restore dignity. To unpack EFF's promises as we head to the local government elections we are joined by the secretary-general of the Economic Freedom Fighters Marshall Dlamini

The Electoral Commission has introduced its new Disinformation Code ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.

The ANC has filed papers with the Electoral Court, seeking to overturn the IEC's decision not to submit the party's candidates in six municipalities, including the Mangaung Metro, Port St John's and Walter Sisulu Local Municipalities. The party says the IEC's system encountered technical challenges that affected the submission of some of its candidate nomination list, while the IEC is saying the system was working properly until the deadline on Friday, 28 August 2026 at 5pm. In the 2021 Local Government Election, the ANC saw a decline in support, from over 53 percent in 2016 to more than 45 percent in 2021. However, the party lead in 167 metros and local municipalities and it says over the past five years, it has continued work to improve and ensure more households receive basic services and infrastructure, housing, local economic development, food security, community safety, financial management and the fight against corruption. To talk more on this, we are joined by ANC's Deputy Secretary General, Nomvula Mokonyane.

With political parties stepping up their preparations for the 2026 local government elections, questions are growing around electoral readiness, political violence, coalition politics and the shifting opposition landscape. Joining us to unpack these developments is political analyst Prof Ntsikelelo Breakfast.

National Chairperson of the United Democratic Movement and PR Councillor in the City of Johannesburg, Yongama Zigebe, has been announced as the party's mayoral candidate for Johannesburg in the November local government elections. Zigebe also previously served as the UDM's National Secretary-General. The announcement was made by the party's deputy President, Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, in Alexandra today. Kwankwa has encouraged Zigebe to take the UDM's message to communities across the city, saying the party is ready to listen, work and govern.

The race for control of South Africa's municipalities is heating up. The Democratic Alliance is one of several political parties stepping up their campaigns ahead of the November 4 local government elections. It is contesting the election with a target of 60 of the country's 257 municipalities. This is more than double the 27 it governs, according to national campaign manager Ashor Sarupen. The DA has promised a tougher hand at SA's failing municipalities, saying it will take action against corruption, illegal land grabs and wasteful spending. To discuss the Democratic Alliance's 2026 LGE Manifesto and campaigns, we are joined by the DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis.

BOSA leader Dr Mmusi Maimane unpacks the party's local government election manifesto, outlining five priorities ahead of the LGE polls. The party is set to contest 24 municipalities.

The Khoisan Revolution party is spreading its wings beyond the Namaqualand and Upington areas, ahead of the upcoming local government elections. SABC News reporter Ulrich Hendriks reports from Upington, in the Northern Cape.

The newly formed political party, African Cultural Identity Movement [ACIM], has entered the political arena, promising to put African cultural identity, land, and service delivery at the centre of its agenda ahead of the local government elections

The Afrika Mayibuye Movement led by Floyd Shivambu, announces mayoral candidates in Gauteng Province for the November 2026 local government elections.

Tonight, we shine the spotlight on eThekwini — looking at the politics, the promises and the reality of service delivery on the ground. We'll hear from Dr Paul Kariuki, Professor Bheki Mngomezulu and Jay Lovey Govender as we unpack what's working, what's failing, and what residents want to see change ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.