INTERVIEW 12 February 2026

Local government in the Eastern Cape has seen several improvements in some areas, however, there remains challenges around governance, accountability and service delivery. In response, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has introduced a Non-Negotiables Booklet to set clear standards for municipalities and aid strengthened governancefor improved service delivery. We’re joined on the line by MEC for Cooperative Governance andTraditional Affairs, Zolile Williams, to unpack what this means for municipalities and the future of local government in the province.