With South Africa’s local government elections on November 4, the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) has issued a pastoral letter calling on the nation to rescue its failing municipalities by renewing a collective commitment to the common good and the spirit of ubuntu.
The pastoral letter is signed by its president, Cardinal Stephen Brislin of Johannesburg.
The bishops warn that the local elections come at a time marked by systemic collapse at the local level. Noting the daily struggles faced by communities throughout South Africa, the letter notes that “many of our municipalities are not working as they should”. They cite widespread hardships such as “water shortages, uncollected waste, poorly maintained roads and lack of facilities for recreation for our youth”.
They highlight a range of structural problems:
• Nepotism and corruption
• The capture of municipalities by organised crime
• Instability in coalition politics
• Cadre deployment in key municipal positions
• A lack of professionalism in the public service
• The politicisation of ward committees intended to serve as instruments of accountability
However, the bishops point out, the crisis is not solely a political failing. Citizens, too, must share accountability for the degradation of public life. The letter challenges the public to look inward, noting that everyday infractions directly undermine community well-being. These include “the non-payment of municipal services, culture of bribing the staff at municipal offices, illegal electricity connections, unlawful occupation of land, vandalism of infrastructure, illegal dumping of waste, and the rise of violent crime”.
All of these compounding factors, the bishops argue, point directly to “a weakening of our sense of the common good — the spirit of ubuntu — both in our politics and in our daily lives.”
The bishops call on the electorate, particularly the youth, to vote on November 4, insisting that “nobody should remain at home.”
While elections are a vital tool for renewal, the bishops stress that civic duty extends beyond the ballot box. “Voting alone is not enough. Holding those in power to account is important. Real change requires deeper commitment.”
Our electoral choices have moral consequences, the bishops say, citing Deuteronomy: ” I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life” (30:19).
To “choose life” in the context of the 2026 ballot, the bishops outline several practical imperatives for both voters and leaders:
• Electing leaders who are genuinely committed to serving their communities with honesty and dedication.
• Fostering responsible citizenship by respecting public infrastructure like clinics and roads while rejecting vandalism and lawlessness.
• Backing public officials who actively reject corruption and nepotism.
• Pressuring political parties to prioritise cooperation in coalition governments over narrow partisan interests.
• Protecting ward committees from political capture so they can genuinely serve local residents.
As tensions often accompany local electoral contests, the bishops appeal to political parties, independent candidates, the media, civil society, and state institutions to act responsibly.
“Our prayer is that the 2026 municipal elections will be peaceful, free, and fair. We therefore call on all stakeholders — political parties, independent candidates, the media, civil society, and state institutions — to act responsibly. Every citizen must be able to vote without fear. The rule of law must be respected, and election results must be accepted in a spirit of peace and responsibility,” the bishops say.
The letter concludes with a prayer, entrusting the nation to God:
“May the Lord guide our leaders, strengthen our communities, and inspire all citizens to act with wisdom and courage. May He bless all those who work to ensure that the elections are fair and transparent. And may He help us to build a society where justice, peace, and human dignity are respected by all. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
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