In an opinion piece for TimesLIVE, Lucky Mathebula argues that South Africa's upcoming municipal elections will test whether constitutional government can function effectively at the local level where citizens live. According to Mathebula, the central question is whether coalition politics can produce stable, accountable municipalities capable of delivering services to residents, as hung councils and coalition arrangements have become an increasingly prominent feature of local governance in the country.

A mayoral candidate for the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has claimed that opinion polls are undercounting the party's grassroots support ahead of upcoming elections, according to TimesLIVE. The hopeful has pledged to restore stability, improve service delivery and repair city finances if elected. The candidate's remarks suggest confidence that voter backing at community level is stronger than polling figures indicate, though no specific data was provided to support the claim.

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis missed a mayoral candidates' debate in Bellville ahead of a contested local election, after being called to a DA event in Matzikama. His absence drew criticism from Freedom Front Plus leader Corné Mulder, according to IOL. The incident caused a stir among participants and observers at the debate, highlighting tensions in the lead-up to the municipal vote.

South Africa's Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has named deputy minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa as its candidate to lead its mayoral bid for eThekwini, the metropolitan municipality that includes Durban. According to TimesLIVE, the party unveiled what it calls a "two-horns" strategy, pairing Hlengwa with Sikhakhane at the helm of the campaign. The announcement positions the IFP's leadership team ahead of its push to contest control of the key KwaZulu-Natal metro.

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has announced that 100 South African municipalities have adopted the Code for Ethical Leadership in Local Government, according to IOL. Councils are expected to develop implementation plans aimed at strengthening accountability and governance at municipal level. The initiative is intended to promote ethical conduct among local government leaders, though details on timelines or enforcement mechanisms were not provided in the report.

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 general election, has attributed Nigeria's worsening hunger crisis to leadership failure rather than a food shortage. He criticized the current leadership as incompetent and irresponsible, suggesting that these factors have exacerbated the situation in the country.