JOHANNESBURG - As South Africa heads towards the 2026 Local Government Elections, eNCA's latest documentary unpacks the challenges of service delivery, accountability and municipal governance across South Africa's eight metropolitan municipalities.
When a tap runs dry, a road remains unrepaired or the lights go out, most residents ask the same question: who is responsible?
That question sits at the heart of Politics, Promises & Broken Cities, eNCA's new documentary exploring the challenges facing municipalities and the impact they have on communities across South Africa.
From water and electricity to housing, waste collection and public infrastructure, the documentary examines the systems people rely on every day and what happens when those systems begin to fail. It also reveals why accountability is often difficult to untangle, with responsibility frequently shared across municipalities, provincial government, national government and state-owned entities.
Drawing on examples from South Africa's eight metropolitan municipalities, the documentary explores some of the country's most pressing urban challenges, including water infrastructure failures, electricity distribution, housing pressures, waste management and municipal finances. It shows how problems in one area can quickly affect another, placing increasing pressure on communities, businesses and essential public services.
Beyond the visible symptoms, the documentary examines the deeper issues that shape municipal performance, including governance, political stability, financial sustainability and institutional capacity. Many of the frustrations experienced by residents, it argues, are rooted in structural challenges that have developed over time.
As political parties begin setting out their priorities, questions around service delivery, governance and accountability are expected to feature prominently in public debate. Understanding how municipalities function, where systems break down and what is required to improve outcomes will be central to informed voter participation in the months ahead.
Politics, Promises & Broken Cities forms part of eNCA's coverage ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections. Through in-depth reporting, analysis and storytelling, eNCA will continue examining the issues shaping communities across the country as South Africans prepare to vote.
Watch Politics, Promises & Broken Cities above.