Local elections: 10 South African parties pledge action on libraries
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on TimesLIVE
Twelve South African parties have set out commitments on libraries, safety around schools and early childhood development ahead of the 2026 municipal elections. Ten parties pledge library measures, five for early childhood centres and eight for school safety, according to EdDesk’s analysis of election manifestos.
Ten South African parties have made explicit commitments to libraries in their manifestos for the 2026 local elections, according to an analysis by EdDesk reported by TimesLIVE.
The study examined proposals from 12 parties on libraries, early childhood development centres and safety around schools. Five parties made specific commitments on early childhood development centres and eight proposed measures directly related to school safety. A total of 546 parties are contesting the elections, according to the Electoral Commission of South Africa. Voters will choose municipal councillors, who can act on roads, infrastructure, community safety, library services and the registration of early childhood development centres, but not on education, which falls under national and provincial authorities.
ActionSA wants to reduce municipal red tape for early childhood development centres, increase their funding and train informal operators excluded from public support. The party also proposes converting abandoned or seized municipal buildings into community crèches. Its leader, Herman Mashaba, advocates partnerships with the private sector to repurpose these buildings.
The South African Communist Party proposes linking local food production to school nutrition programmes and turning libraries into community centres with internet access and study spaces. It also advocates safety audits in neighbourhoods and safer routes to schools. These proposals form part of the campaign for the South African local elections, as the Electoral Commission approved the candidacies of 32 parties on 16 October.
