Mabopane, Soshanguve residents hope elections will bring about change

As the 2026 local government elections approaches, service delivery is at the heart of the upcoming polls.

Since the previous local government elections, many municipalities have experienced service delivery challenges.

Some Mabopane and Soshanguve residents say after each elections, life is remains the same.

They say all previous councillors have failed to deliver on the promises made before the elections.

They have accused all past and present local councillors of ignoring their plights.

They have decried Eskom’s load reduction as they believe discriminates against the poor communities.

Load reduction is Eskom’s way of reducing the electricity supply to specific areas to prevent overloading the grid.

Residents say they will be voting for change as they believe the new party will bring the much needed change.

They add that constant load reduction contribute to high level of levels crime in the area.

Earlier this year, many Mabopane and Soshanguve communities protested against the power cuts, blockading roads with burning tyres and rocks.

“They are cutting our electricity because we stay in black communities.

People who stay in the suburbs don’t experience this.

Look at our roads, look at our sewage … sometimes the sewage will be left overflowing for weeks or even months after we reported it.” Residents say potholes, water cuts and electricity challenges remain three of the biggest service delivery issues they’ve been grappling with over the years.

“When it’s raining, you can’t drive on these roads.