The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) notes the 2026 State of the Nation Address delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday, 12 February 2026. We broadly welcome the renewed focus on strengthening the local government sphere, particularly the emphasis on professionalising the local government sector and confronting long standing structural challenges that impede service delivery.

SALGA President Bheke Stofile says: “The President’s call that ‘we must fix local government’ is a necessary one. As the sphere closest to communities, municipalities require stable leadership, professionalisation, and a sustainable funding model if they are to fulfil their constitutional mandates.”

The President’s acknowledgement of local government challenges aligns with SALGA’s long standing position that municipalities struggle under the weight of unfunded mandates, governance instability, ageing infrastructure, and insufficient capacity.

The commitment to a differentiated approach recognises that municipalities vary greatly in capability and context and is strongly supported. This has been a central pillar of SALGA’s submissions to the review of the White Paper on Local Government. Applying a one size-fit-all approach will not lead to improvements what is needed is a responsive, capacity based model.

SALGA further notes the President’s intention to drive a far reaching overhaul of the local government system. While we support decisive reform, SALGA reiterates that changes must build on the strengths of the existing constitutional architecture, ensuring continuity while addressing fragmentation, misaligned functions and gaps in capability.

“While reforms to transform local government are welcomed it is important to do this within the Constitutional framework while ensuring that the powers and functions of local government are not usurped in the process,” cautions Stofile.

The announcement of targeted funding to address backlogs in trading services such as water and electricity is appreciated. However, SALGA emphasise that a long-term solution requires a comprehensive overhaul of the local government funding model. Short term injections help stabilise crises, but municipalities need a sustainable and predictable fiscal framework that matches their responsibilities.

On the water crisis and accountability, we welcome firm action to ensure compliance with legislation. At the same time, SALGA stresses the need for strengthened technical support, structured service level arrangements, and investment in infrastructure maintenance to address root causes.

SoNA also highlights the devastating impact of climate induced disasters. These events again confirm SALGA’s call for a review of the disaster management system to ensure a more agile, better resourced, and community centred response mechanism.

The Association notes the strengthened emphasis on intergovernmental cooperation, and we stand ready to work with national and provincial government to align reforms, build capacity, and ensure coherent implementation.

Finally, SALGA will be keenly watching how the upcoming Budget Speech allocates resources to give real effect to the President’s commitments. Achieving the vision outlined in the SoNA will depend on meaningful investment in the local sphere.

“Local government has a pivotal role in rebuilding trust and delivering services that restore dignity. We look forward to partnering with all spheres to ensure that the reforms announced translate into real change for communities, states Stofile.