A resident cleans a car in front of portable toilets 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)

A general view of a cordoned off area caused by a water leakage in central Johannesburg, on October 7, 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 ILARIA FINIZIO / AFP via Getty Images)

People walk past a damaged road in central Johannesburg on October 7, 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 ILARIA FINIZIO / AFP via Getty Images)

Monica Lesufi sits in a wheelchair in front of her home as as her neighbour walks towards his home wearing an African National Congress (ANC) t-shirt 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 inspects 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)

A woman walks past a damaged road in central Johannesburg, on October 7, 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 ILARIA FINIZIO / AFP via Getty Images)

A man wearing an African National Congress (ANC) shirt stands on as he closes his eyes 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)

A minibus taxi drives in a street littered with potholes and rubbish 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)