A resident approaches a heap of rubbish in front of an African National Congress (ANC) municipal election posters in Alexandra, near Johannesburg, on October 5, 2026. Of the 257 municipal councils up for grabs, the fight for municipal control is particularly intense in Johannesburg, an economic dynamo of more than four million people, and the face of Africa's most industrialised nation. South Africa's stark inequalities are laid bare in the Alexandra township area from where the skyscrapers of the Sandton business district -- reputed to be the richest square mile on the continent -- are visible. (Photo by EMMANUEL CROSET / AFP via Getty Images)

A resident carries a bucket of water in front of an Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) municipal election poster in Alexandra, near Johannesburg, on October 5, 2026. Of the 257 municipal councils up for grabs, the fight for municipal control is particularly intense in Johannesburg, an economic dynamo of more than four million people, and the face of Africa's most industrialised nation. South Africa's stark inequalities are laid bare in the Alexandra township area from where the skyscrapers of the Sandton business district -- reputed to be the richest square mile on the continent -- are visible. (Photo by EMMANUEL CROSET / AFP via Getty Images)

A man gestures as he walks towards a minibus taxi while the driver climbs out to inspect the potholes in the street in Alexandra, near Johannesburg, on October 5, 2026. Of the 257 municipal councils up for grabs, the fight for municipal control is particularly intense in Johannesburg, an economic dynamo of more than four million people, and the face of Africa's most industrialised nation. South Africa's stark inequalities are laid bare in the Alexandra township area from where the skyscrapers of the Sandton business district -- reputed to be the richest square mile on the continent -- are visible. (Photo by EMMANUEL CROSET / AFP via Getty Images)

Monica Lesufi sits in a wheelchair in front of her home in Alexandra, near Johannesburg, on October 5, 2026. Of the 257 municipal councils up for grabs, the fight for municipal control is particularly intense in Johannesburg, an economic dynamo of more than four million people, and the face of Africa's most industrialised nation. South Africa's stark inequalities are laid bare in the Alexandra township area from where the skyscrapers of the Sandton business district -- reputed to be the richest square mile on the continent -- are visible. (Photo by EMMANUEL CROSET / AFP via Getty Images)

Children play near a man inspecting a pair of pants he found on a dump in an informal settlement in Marlboro, near Johannesburg, on October 5, 2026. Of the 257 municipal councils up for grabs, the fight for municipal control is particularly intense in Johannesburg, an economic dynamo of more than four million people, and the face of Africa's most industrialised nation. South Africa's stark inequalities are laid bare in the Alexandra township area from where the skyscrapers of the Sandton business district -- reputed to be the richest square mile on the continent -- are visible. (Photo by EMMANUEL CROSET / AFP via Getty Images)

Independent candidate in Katlehong township, Mzwandile Soyaya (L) walks next to a stream of water contaminated with sewage and rubbish with a community member in Katlehong on October 5, 2026. Of the 257 municipal councils up for grabs, the fight for municipal control is particularly intense in Johannesburg, an economic dynamo of more than four million people, and the face of Africa's most industrialised nation. South Africa's stark inequalities are laid bare in the Alexandra township area from where the skyscrapers of the Sandton business district -- reputed to be the richest square mile on the continent -- are visible. (Photo by EMMANUEL CROSET / AFP via Getty Images)

Residents walk on a street next to an African National Congress (ANC) municipal election posters in Alexandra, near Johannesburg, on October 5, 2026. Of the 257 municipal councils up for grabs, the fight for municipal control is particularly intense in Johannesburg, an economic dynamo of more than four million people, and the face of Africa's most industrialised nation. South Africa's stark inequalities are laid bare in the Alexandra township area from where the skyscrapers of the Sandton business district -- reputed to be the richest square mile on the continent -- are visible. (Photo by EMMANUEL CROSET / AFP via Getty Images)

A resident hangs up wet clothing on a washing line in Alexandra, near Johannesburg, on October 5, 2026. Of the 257 municipal councils up for grabs, the fight for municipal control is particularly intense in Johannesburg, an economic dynamo of more than four million people, and the face of Africa's most industrialised nation. South Africa's stark inequalities are laid bare in the Alexandra township area from where the skyscrapers of the Sandton business district -- reputed to be the richest square mile on the continent -- are visible. (Photo by EMMANUEL CROSET / AFP via Getty Images)