YOUR VOTE DOES HAVE POWER
This election is an opportunity to demand accountability, and vote for a country where human rights come first.
Every election, fewer people show up.
South Africa's democracy was built on the promise that every vote could shape a better future. Yet over the past two decades, voter turnout has steadily declined as frustration over corruption, failing services and broken promises has grown. Not because people stopped caring. Because too many stopped believing anything would change.
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89.3% of South Africans voted in 1999. By 2024, turnout had dropped to 58.6%. Source: The Electoral Commission of South Africa.
Human rights start where you live
Local government is not only responsible for roads and refuse collection. It is responsible for protecting many of the rights people rely on every day. The right to water, the right to sanitation, the right to have access to adequate housing. When municipalities fail, human rights suffer.
ACCESS TO SAFE, SUFFICIENT AND
RELIABLE WATER IS A
HUMAN RIGHT.
Section 27(1)(b) of the Constitution guarantees that everyone has the right to have access to sufficient water.
The Constitution also requires the state to take reasonable legislative and other measures, within its available resources, to progressively realise this right. This means the government must show real, measurable progress toward sufficient water for everyone, not simply maintain the status quo or roll it back.
When taps run dry, pipes go unrepaired, or wastewater contaminates the water supply, it is not just poor service delivery. It is a failure of a constitutional obligation.
Weekly interruptions hit hardest in Mpumalanga (36%), KwaZulu-Natal (24.2%) and Limpopo (25.9%). Source: General Household Survey 2025.
A further deterioration in the performance of municipal wastewater systems. Source: 2026 Green Drop, Blue Drop & No Drop Progress Reports.
Water that is not safe to drink, raising the risk of water-borne disease. Source: 2026 Blue Drop Report.
ACCESS TO BASIC SANITATION
IS A HUMAN RIGHT
Section 10 of the Constitution guarantees that everyone has inherent dignity and the right to have it respected and protected. Section 24 of the Constitution guarantees everyone the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being.
When a household has no toilet, no privacy, and no safe way to wash their hands, it is not only a service delivery failure. This constitutes a violation of human dignity under Section 10 and the right to a healthy environment under Section 24 of the Constitution.
Lowest in Mpumalanga and Limpopo (both 64.8%). The Western Cape fell from 97.1% to 95.9% . The only province to decline. Source: General Household Survey 2025.
Almost a third of households still lack basic facilities to wash their hands. Source: General Household Survey 2025.
Households without access to improved sanitation depend overwhelmingly on unventilated pit toilets, which pose serious health and safety risks. Source: General Household Survey 2025.
Access to Housing is
more than a roof.
Section 26(1) of the Constitution guarantees everyone the right to have access to adequate housing, alongside Article 11(1) of the ICESCR. "Adequate" means more than four walls. It means secure tenure, basic services, affordability and a habitable, safe structure.
Yet over 5 million people live in informal settlements. When housing fails to meet that standard, it is a constitutional obligation left unmet.
Highest in metros: Johannesburg (19.1%) and Cape Town (16.2%). Source: General Household Survey 2025.
Source: A Profile of Homeless Persons in South Africa, 2022.
Weak roofs rose too, from 7.6% to 9.6%. Source: General Household Survey 2025.
Climate resilience runs through every one of these rights
Ageing infrastructure breaks under climate stress. Climate resilience is not a separate issue from water, sanitation and housing; it determines whether these essential services can withstand the impacts of a changing climate.
VOTE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
This election, you have immense power.
Add your name to our #VoteForHumanRights pledge and commit to casting an informed vote for the leaders who will protect your rights to water, sanitation, and safe housing.
A ballot cast with your rights in mind is the strongest tool we have to hold local government accountable.
BE INFORMED
VOTER RESOURCES
Activist ToolKit
As part of the campaign, we have designed an activist guidebook to empower you with the knowledge and tools you seek to engage meaningfully in the national election.
Political Party Advert Repository
The Political Advert Repository (PAdRe or Padre) is an IEC initiative, supported by Media Monitoring Africa (MMA). Padre allows voters to verify political mainstream and social media adverts to avoid misinformation ahead of the national elections. The initiative is in line with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights’ Guidelines On Access To Information And Elections In Africa.
My Candidate Tool
Open Cities Lab and OpenUp have collaborated on a tool that allows voters to search for candidates contesting in their wards. Enter your address below to get started.
