South Africans head to the polls with increasing choices on the ballot. Among them are independent candidates, individuals who stand without party affiliation, often driven by personal credibility, single-issue campaigns, or frustration with the political establishment. At first glance, this appears to be a healthy expansion of democracy: more choice, more voices and more accountability.
Yet beneath the surface lies a difficult reality. Our local government electoral system was not designed with independents in mind. Their participation, while legitimate, can unintentionally weaken effective opposition in struggling municipalities — particularly those governed by the ANC, thereby reducing accountability where it is most urgently required.
Local elections operate under a mixed system. Voters cast a ward ballot for an individual candidate and a proportional representation (PR) ballot for a political party. When results are calculated, political parties benefit twice: ward votes are added to PR votes, and additional PR seats are allocated to ensure proportional representation in council. Independents do not benefit from this mechanism. If an independent wins a ward, they secure that single seat. If they lose, the votes cast for them do not contribute to the PR allocation.
The implication is significant: votes cast for unsuccessful independents do not influence the proportional balance of power in council. In tightly contested municipalities, where a single seat determines control of budgets, mayoral committees and oversight structures, these “lost” votes can materially affect governance outcomes.
Even when independents win, their capacity is constrained. Councils are complex environments requiring coordinated voting strength, policy expertise and institutional support. A lone councillor, without access to research teams, legal advice or broader governance structures, operates at a structural disadvantage. Effective oversight depends not only on integrity, but on numbers and coordination.
The 2021 local elections produced more than 65 hung councils — the highest in our democratic history. While approximately 1,500 independents contested, fewer than 55 secured seats. What proved more consequential than those who won were the votes that did not translate into proportional representation, often shifting delicate balances of power.
South Africa has seen what structured, disciplined caucuses can achieve. The Midvaal Municipality has repeatedly received clean audits and is widely regarded as one of the best-run municipalities in the country. The City of Cape Town remains the only metropolitan municipality to consistently secure clean audits. These outcomes are not the product of individual actors, but of cohesive teams supported by policy depth and institutional capacity.
Independent candidates often emerge where communities feel unheard, and in certain contexts they may serve a meaningful role. However, unless they win outright, the structure of our electoral system means their support does not strengthen the broader opposition bloc.
South Africa’s democracy benefits from diverse participation. Yet voters should also consider the mechanics of the system in which their vote operates. Strong municipalities require united caucuses capable of exercising oversight, challenging unlawful budgets and sustaining governance reform.
When casting a ballot, the question is not only who speaks the loudest, but who can govern effectively.