As the local government elections approach, various parties have made commitments to improve libraries, school safety, and early childhood development (ECD) centres. EdDesk reviewed the 2026 election manifestos of 12 established and emerging parties, focusing on their pledges in these three areas. The review found that libraries featured most frequently, with explicit pledges identified for 10 parties. Five parties made specific ECD commitments, while eight identified measures directly linked to school safety.
The ActionSA party is among those with commitments in all three areas. It plans to reform ECD and public education by cutting municipal red tape and boosting policing to counter infrastructure neglect. The party wants to expand ECD funding, introduce nutrition schemes, and train informal operators excluded from state support. Additionally, ActionSA proposes public-private agreements to turn abandoned or seized municipal buildings into compliant spaces for community crèches.
The SACP and EFF also made commitments in all three areas. The SACP proposes connecting local food production directly to school nutrition programmes to safeguard children. It advocates for ward safety audits, safer routes to school, and targeted law enforcement action against drug dens and illegal outlets operating near schools. The EFF has committed to building more schools, replacing pit-and-bucket toilets with flushing sanitation, establishing libraries in under-resourced schools, and expanding free public Wi-Fi to promote reading.
The ANC, DA, and UDM also made significant pledges. The ANC promises to make every municipal library accessible, well lit, equipped with public Wi-Fi, and able to offer programmes. The DA has pledged to improve libraries through partnerships with private organisations and make school routes safer. The UDM promises to upgrade libraries and public spaces and provide internet access for job seekers and learners. Party leader Bantu Holomisa called for a nationwide review of school safety measures, including supervision audits and infrastructure upgrades.
Other parties, such as Build One South Africa, the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), also made pledges. Build One South Africa has pledged to turn municipal libraries into digital hubs where young people can access technology and develop skills. The ACDP issued mandates for the eradication of school pit latrines in favour of flushing sewer systems. The IFP promises continued investment in libraries alongside programmes intended to create opportunities for young people.
The review of party manifestos found that some parties did not identify explicit commitments in the three focus areas. The Freedom Front Plus (FF+) manifesto focused on community safety and wider municipal concerns but did not make specific pledges. Tracking the Patriotic Alliance (PA) was inconclusive, as no complete 2026 manifesto could be located.
Voters will elect councillors who can influence roads, infrastructure, community safety, library services, and ECD centre registration. Schooling falls outside the mandate of local authorities as it is a national and provincial responsibility. A total of 546 parties are contesting the elections, according to the Electoral Commission.
Key points
- Parties contesting South Africa's local government elections have made pledges on libraries, school safety, and early childhood development.
- The review of party manifestos found varying levels of commitment to improving libraries, school safety, and ECD centres.
- The local government elections will see 546 parties contesting for councillor positions that influence local services, including libraries and ECD centres.
