South African (SA) President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged more than 10 000 newly elected municipal councillors to immediately focus on addressing systemic service delivery failures, following the Electoral Commission’s official declaration of the seventh democratic local government election results.

Addressing the incoming public representatives after the conclusion of the nationwide vote, the head of state pointed out that local governance remains the primary interface between citizens and the state, calling for immediate action across the country’s 257 municipalities.

“You have been entrusted with an immense responsibility. You will serve in the sphere of government that is closest to the daily lives of our people. Your responsibility is not simply to occupy a seat in a council chamber. It is to serve the communities that have placed their trust in you. Your responsibility will be to listen to their concerns, respond to their needs and act to address the concerns with honesty and integrity. The work of serving the people must begin.”

The directive comes as political parties face pressing deadlines to constitute local councils, resolve hung municipalities, and establish stable administrations capable of restoring basic municipal services, infrastructure maintenance, and financial oversight.

–ChannelAfrica–