South Africa’s municipalities remain at the centre of the country’s service delivery challenge. As pressures mount—from infrastructure backlogs to revenue instability—the conversation is shifting from short-term fixes to structural reform of the municipal funding model.

Africa’s gaming industry is quietly becoming one of the continent’s most powerful economic forces. Yet, if left to grow without intent, it risks becoming another example of rapid expansion without proportional developmental impact.

In a major turnaround for South Africa’s power sector, one of the country’s largest municipal electricity utilities has boosted efficiency by 55% in just six months.

Local government experts have welcomed the ANC's bold plans to strengthen service delivery at the local government level but say the strategy will not work if plans are only spoken about and not executed.

South Africa’s newly tightened inflation band promises stability but brings unintended pressure. While lower inflation and rate cuts may anchor expectations, they risk squeezing municipalities and businesses, slowing growth unless financial systems strengthen and local economies adapt to rising costs and restricted price adjustments.

If South Africa is to break its entrenched low-growth economic cycle, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana needs to set a bold new course for the country when he delivers the national budget in February 2026.