In South Africa’s local government election season, questions about government performance, political accountability and service delivery are becoming increasingly important. Two years into South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU), the question is no longer whether political parties can work together, but whether their cooperation is translating into meaningful improvements in citizens’ lives. These questions formed the basis of a Critical Conversation hosted by ACT Ubumbano and SIVIO Institute on 12 October 2026 in Johannesburg.
The discussion drew on findings from SIVIO Institute’s second-year South Africa Citizens Watch Barometer Report, Coalition at the Midpoint: An Assessment of the Performance of the Government of National Unity, July 2024–July 2026, which recorded an increase in the GNU’s overall performance score from 9% in 2025 to 34%. However, of the 120 commitments tracked, only four had been fully implemented, with 64 in progress and 52 yet to commence. The findings raised questions about the gap between government commitments and actual delivery. Contributions from Mike Makwela of Planact and Professor Hlengiwe Ndhlovu of Wits University brought further attention to citizens lived experiences, service delivery challenges and the importance of democratic accountability.
With local government elections approaching, the conversation highlighted the importance of assessing political performance beyond campaign promises. Although the report focuses on national government commitments, many of the challenges it identifies, particularly around housing, infrastructure and basic services, have implications for local governance. The discussion also raised broader questions about how citizens can use evidence to hold political leaders accountable and participate more meaningfully in democratic processes.
South Africa’s experience also speaks to wider governance challenges across Southern Africa, where questions of political representation, public trust and government responsiveness remain relevant. Through the African Citizens Watch initiative (www.africancitizenswatch.org), SIVIO Institute continues to promote citizen-led monitoring of government commitments across the region. The discussion reinforced the importance of looking beyond political stability and institutional reforms to examine whether democratic governance is delivering improvements that citizens can experience.
