We generate new and original research to better understand the drivers of institutional performance in the public sector and improve policy implementation.
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Joined January 2015
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Voter turnout in South Africa's 2026 local government elections could exceed 2021 levels
PARI's Executive Director, Dr Sithembile Mbete told SABC News that final turnout figures will determine whether participation has increased.
“ In 2024, though, we saw a big boost in voter registrations, and we didn't see turnout match that as closely. In 2026, though, we did see the big boost in voter registration.
“We are also seeing a much more competitive election, with about 500 or so parties registered for this election. But I do think that these are much higher-stakes contests.”
🔗 Read the full article here: jacarandafm.com/news/news/re…
Can trust in South Africa's municipalities ever be restored?
"Dr Tracy Ledger, from the Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI), traces this administrative failure back to a betrayal of the post-apartheid social contract. Universal access to basic services was a foundational promise meant to guarantee a dignified standard of living, even in the face of widespread poverty. Instead, Ledger argues, the state has fundamentally reversed its role, transforming into an entity that actively pursues poor people who can't afford to pay for services."
🔗 Read the full article here: wits.ac.za/news/latest-news/…
With Local Government elections this week PARI colleagues discuss turnout, party campaigns and promises, coalition government, youth participation and the issues shaping the election debate.
🔗 Listen to the episode here: pari.org.za/podcast-just-acc…
Host:
@TasneemEssop_ (@SWOPinstitute)
Guests:
@Waseem_Wala
Daniel Sher
@murial79459
Khanyisile Ngqalela
Zain Mayet
Akhona Mazibuko
Produced By:
Richard Rumney
#JustAccessPodcast #LocalGovernment #Elections2026 #LGE2026
"The government recently proposed raising FBE to between 200kWh and 300kWh. The Electricity for All Campaign has welcomed the planned increase but says it does not go far enough, citing PARI’s research on 350kWh as the appropriate developmental allowance."
🔗 Read the full article here: groundup.org.za/article/free…
Johannesburg’s recurring failures in electricity, water and waste services are intensifying pressure on the ANC-led city coalition before South Africa’s Nov. 4 municipal elections.
"In March 2025, Public Affairs Research Institute researchers Tracy Ledger and Jugal Mahabir estimated that leaks waste 25% of the water Johannesburg buys from Rand Water."
🔗 Read the full article here: econotimes.com/Johannesburg-…
With Local Government elections this week PARI colleagues discuss turnout, party campaigns and promises, coalition government, youth participation and the issues shaping the election debate.
🔗 Listen to the episode here: pari.org.za/podcast-just-acc…
Host:
@TasneemEssop_ (@SWOPinstitute)
Guests:
@Waseem_Wala
Daniel Sher
@murial79459
Khanyisile Ngqalela
Zain Mayet
Akhona Mazibuko
Produced By:
Richard Rumney
#JustAccessPodcast #LocalGovernment #Elections2026 #LGE2026
Why every vote matters in local government election
“Every vote does count, as cliché as that sounds, particularly in this era of coalition politics. You do not need to agree with everything that a party stands for to vote for it. This is in fact rarely the case,” senior researcher at the Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI), Kate Tissington, told SANews
sanews.gov.za/south-africa/w…
With Local Government elections this week PARI colleagues discuss turnout, party campaigns and promises, coalition government, youth participation and the issues shaping the election debate.
🔗 Listen to the episode here: pari.org.za/podcast-just-acc…
Host:
@TasneemEssop_ (@SWOPinstitute)
Guests:
@Waseem_Wala
Daniel Sher
@murial79459
Khanyisile Ngqalela
Zain Mayet
Akhona Mazibuko
Produced By:
Richard Rumney
#JustAccessPodcast #LocalGovernment #Elections2026 #LGE2026
"Electricity and energy minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has repeatedly stated that the growing unaffordability of electricity — particularly for low-income households — is “the most pressing energy challenge” for South Africa.
We agree: the Public Affairs Research Institute has shown that low-income households often sacrifice food expenditure to pay for electricity and that the cost of electricity undermines small and micro enterprises, notably the home-based livelihoods of women."
za.headtopics.com/news/minis…
Op Ed | Minister’s Promises About Energy Affordability Ring Hollow
In this Sunday Times Op Ed, Tracy Ledger writes about how South Africa's excess power is being sold instead of being used to help poor households. 'Socioeconomic development requires that low-income households consume more electricity — this is the pathway to reducing poverty and inequality. Affordability is the biggest obstacle to achieving this.'
🔗 Rea the full Op Ed here: pari.org.za/op-ed-ministers-…
With a week to go before the local government elections, PARI colleagues reflect on the mood around the country and the choices facing voters. They discuss turnout, party campaigns and promises, coalition government, youth participation and the issues shaping the election debate.
Listen to the episode here: pari.org.za/podcast-just-acc…
Host:
@TasneemEssop_ (@SWOPinstitute)
Guests:
@Waseem_Wala
Daniel Sher
@murial79459
Khanyisile Ngqalela
Zain Mayet
Akhona Mazibuko
Produced By:
Richard Rumney
#JustAccessPodcast #LocalGovernment #Elections2026 #LGE2026
With a week to go before the local government elections, PARI colleagues reflect on the mood around the country and the choices facing voters. They discuss turnout, party campaigns and promises, coalition government, youth participation and the issues shaping the election debate.
Listen to the episode here: pari.org.za/podcast-just-acc…
Host:
@TasneemEssop_ (@SWOPinstitute)
Guests:
@Waseem_Wala
Daniel Sher
@murial79459
Khanyisile Ngqalela
Zain Mayet
Akhona Mazibuko
Produced By:
Richard Rumney
#JustAccessPodcast #LocalGovernment #Elections2026 #LGE2026
PARI's Executive Director, Dr Sithembile Mbete, spoke to civic society about the important role community members play in local elections, at the Joburg Crisis Alliance's 10th summit.
"She explained that of the 270 seats in the Johannesburg council, 135 are ward councillors elected directly by citizens, whether running independently or within a political party. She added that a ward councillor is the only person in the system citizens can elect directly, making it vital for residents to know who candidates are, what commitments they make, how they plan to achieve their goals, and what past representatives have delivered."
🔗 Read the full article here: citizen.co.za/rosebank-killa…
The Real Democracy
The 'Just Access' podcast is back with 'The Real Democracy', a seven-episode audio series for South Africa’s 2026 local government elections. It examines the state of municipalities, its capacity, infrastructure and finance from the perspective of PARI’s research.
With a week to go before the local government elections, PARI colleagues reflect on the mood around the country and the choices facing voters. They discuss turnout, party campaigns and promises, coalition government, youth participation and the issues shaping the election debate.
Listen to the episode here: pari.org.za/podcast-just-acc…
Host:
@TasneemEssop_ (@SWOPinstitute)
Guests:
@Waseem_Wala
Daniel Sher
@murial79459
Khanyisile Ngqalela
Zain Mayet
Akhona Mazibuko
Produced By:
Richard Rumney
#JustAccessPodcast #LocalGovernment #Elections2026 #LGE2026
Three interventions for civic oversight of public procurement
This policy brief makes proposals for enabling greater civil society oversight of public procurement in South Africa. Conventional oversight arrives late, as shown by irregularities surfaced in audits long after contracts have been awarded and services have failed. Here PARI argues that civil society, communities and the public can be given a defined role in scrutinising public procurement.
🔗 Read the full policy brief here: pari.org.za/policy-brief-wat…
With a week to go before the local government elections, PARI colleagues reflect on the mood around the country and the choices facing voters. They discuss turnout, party campaigns and promises, coalition government, youth participation
and the issues shaping the election debate.
Episode 5 of Just Access: The Real Democracy, comes out tomorrow.
Host:
@TasneemEssop_ (@SWOPinstitute)
Guests:
@Waseem_Wala
Daniel Sher
@murial79459
Khanyisile Ngqalela
Zain Mayet
Akhona Mazibuko
Produced By:
Richard Rumney
#JustAccessPodcast #LocalGovernment #Elections2026 #LGE2026
Mahlatse Rampedi, researcher in PARI’s Just Transition programme, chatted to Liezle Wilson on @SABCNews about his research into how water provision is experienced (or not) in informal communities around Johannesburg, and what it costs.
pari.org.za/sabc-pari-on-ele…
The 5th episode of Just Access: The Real Democracy, comes out tomorrow.
Drawing on COMPACT's work, this episode will compare manifesto proposals concerning ward committees, participatory budgeting, municipal communication and public accountability. It will ask whether these commitments would give residents meaningful influence over local government or
simply create more consultation processes.
Host:
@TasneemEssop_ (@SWOPinstitute)
Guests:
Kate Tissington, Senior Researcher, (PARI)
Jabu Hlatshwayo, Researcher, (PARI)
Khanyisile Ngqalela, Researcher, (PARI)
Produced By:
Richard Rumney
#JustAccessPodcast #LocalGovernment #Elections2026 #LGE2026
'Show Your Hand: Parties must name their game before the election'
by Zain Mayet
"South Africa’s local government elections on 4 November will determine who represents each ward, but in many municipalities, elections will not settle who governs. Where no party wins an outright majority, that question moves from the ballot box to the negotiating table."
🔗 Read the full blog here: pari.org.za/blog-show-your-h…
