CheckPoint Podcast | Do Elections Still Work? Voter Trust, Local Power and the IEC | 7 July 2026

Do elections still work in South Africa? Nkepile Mabuse sits down with Masego Sheburi, Deputy CEO for Electoral Operations at the IEC, for a sharp and practical CheckPoint conversation about voter trust, municipal elections, youth participation and why many South Africans feel voting has not changed their daily lives. The discussion opens with a major warning: only 49% of eligible voters say they would cast their ballots if an election were held tomorrow. Sheburi says voters do not judge democracy through slogans or speeches. They judge it through water, electricity, living standards, local services and whether participation has improved their personal circumstances. Nkepile pushes the difficult questions. Are voters punishing the ANC? Has voter education failed? Why do people protest municipal problems almost daily, but still treat local government elections as less important than national elections? Sheburi argues that young people are not apathetic. Once registered, young voters can be among the most engaged groups. The IEC’s strategy includes youth-focused campaigns, community radio, social media, animations, outreach coordinators and efforts to make civic education easier to access without data costs. The episode also breaks down how voters can make their vote work after election day, from understanding ward councillors to attending public meetings, raising petitions and taking part in municipal IDP and budget processes. Watch the full episode for a direct conversation about South Africa’s municipal elections, voter turnout, local accountability and the future of democratic participation. Catch up on all CheckPoint Podcast episodes here: ⁠https://www.enca.com/checkpoint-podca... (00:00) – Only 49% Want To Vote? (00:23) – Voters Judge Politics By Their Lives (01:02) – When Trust In Politics Collapses (02:02) – The IEC’s Campaign Challenge (02:23) – Democracy Must Produce Dividends (03:40) – Are Voters Punishing The ANC? (04:44) – Voting Is Not The End (05:44) – Has Voter Education Failed? (06:12) – Young Voters Are Not Apathetic (06:44) – Youth Representation Still Matters (07:30) – The Voters’ Roll Is Getting Younger (08:17) – Why Local Elections Get Less Love (09:09) – People Protest Municipal Problems (09:41) – The IEC’s Youth Strategy (10:14) – Radio, TikTok and Zero-Rated Civic Education (11:07) – What Happens After Voting? (11:37) – Belief, Fear and Safe Spaces (12:44) – Negative Campaigning Weakens Democracy (13:04) – How To Make Your Vote Work (13:47) – Your Councillor Answers To You (14:37) – Petitions, Speaker’s Offices and Public Meetings (15:40) – Peaceful Protest Is Protected (16:14) – Do Elections Still Work? (17:23) – Democracy Has Challenges, Not A Death Certificate (18:00) – How Voters Should Assess Parties (19:00) – What Promises Can Municipalities Afford? (22:32) – Budgets, IDPs and Public Participation (23:39) – The Problem With Thick Municipal Documents (24:29) – Municipal Budgets Are Like Household Budgets (25:28) – Local Government Is Closest To Daily Life