As South Africa's political parties negotiate control of 127 hung municipalities, mayoral positions are carrying annual remuneration recommendations of up to R1.65 million. According to the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers' September 2026 recommendations, an executive mayor or mayor is listed at R1,658,890 annually. These recommendations provide for a 4% increase in the listed remuneration levels. The negotiations come as new elected councils face a November 26, 2026, deadline to take office.
The incoming councils are expected to oversee municipal budgets, administration, and service delivery for the next five years. As a result, the financial packages attached to political office are likely to attract public scrutiny. Ordinary councillors can expect to earn R743,505 per year, while members of mayoral committees, whips, and chairpersons of sub-councils fall under the R1,262,025 level. Deputy executive mayors, speakers, or deputy mayors are listed at R1,339,750 annually.
In addition to basic pay, municipal office-bearers are entitled to various benefits and allowances. These include cellphone allowances of up to R3,600 a month and mobile data allowances of up to R317 a month. Other provisions cover housing and vehicle-related arrangements, official travel reimbursements, pension or retirement fund contributions, and medical aid contributions. The existing government determination provides for these benefits and work-related allowances.
The government has set aside R300 million for once-off gratuity payments to qualifying ward and proportional representation councillors who will not return after the elections. To qualify, councillors must have served for at least 24 months between 2021 and 2026. Those who completed 60 months of service qualify for a maximum payment equivalent to three months' basic salary, while payments for those who served between 24 and 60 months are reduced according to their length of service.
President Cyril Ramaphosa recently announced salary increases for several categories of public office-bearers, but municipal councillors were not among the categories listed in the announcement. The increases included 3.5% for members of the national executive, Parliament, premiers, and provincial legislatures, and 4% for judges, magistrates, and traditional leaders. The President's announcement applies to various public office-bearers, but not municipal councillors.
The 14-day period for constituting metropolitan and local municipal councils began on November 12, following publication of the election results in the Government Gazette, and runs until November 26. At these meetings, councillors elect political office-bearers, including the speaker, mayor or executive mayor, and deputy mayor, where applicable. The composition of mayoral or executive committees is also determined through the applicable processes.
For communities, the priority will be whether the incoming leadership can turn election promises into functioning administrations and better services. The financial packages attached to political office will likely be scrutinized by the public, given the role of municipal councils in overseeing budgets, administration, and service delivery. The amounts payable are subject to the applicable government determination, municipal grading, and whether a position is full-time or part-time.
Key points
- The annual remuneration for South Africa's new mayors could be up to R1.6 million.
- Ordinary councillors can expect to earn R743,505 per year.
- The government has set aside R300 million for once-off gratuity payments to qualifying councillors who will not return after the elections.
