Only a quarter of South Africans over the age of 18 trust their current Local Governments, while more than half (55%) of South Africans who are registered to vote on 4 November 2026 are distrustful of their Local Governments.
Two months before South Africans head to the polls to elect new local governments, Ipsos research suggests that electoral outcomes remain far from settled, with significant numbers of registered voters still available to be persuaded.
New Ipsos data reveals the scale of South Africa’s reliance on social grants, with the Child Support Grant (CSG) dominating, the once-temporary Covid-era Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant becoming a lifeline for (especially) young South Africans, and a relatively small employment base supporting an expanding grant system.
Ipsos study reveals voter alienation, low municipal trust, and a mixed appetite for polls as 2026/7 elections approach – regardless of a choice of more than 500 parties
The recent postponement and subsequent vote on the Budget Speech in the South African Parliament have intensified public scrutiny of the Government of National Unity (GNU). This delay not only raised questions about the GNU's stability but also heightened concerns about the country's economic outlook.
Currently, over a third (35%) of registered South African voters feel that no political party fully aligns with their views and opinions. This sentiment poses a significant challenge for voters as they grapple with their party choices in the upcoming national and provincial elections.
Looking at possible turnout scenarios, a lower voter turnout is definitely to the benefit of the ANC, as reported in previous Ipsos press releases about this topic. In fact, turnout will probably be the key variable in the election on 29 May 2024.
