By Felicity Harrison, Senior Practitioner, IJR

As South Africa moves toward the 2026–27 local government elections, the stakes extend far beyond ballots and party politics. There are risks of violence that can undermine our democracy, and the powerful role that community dialogue and peacebuilding can play in securing a peaceful future for all.

Recent data from the 2025 South African Reconciliation Barometer paints a clear picture of our present reality. One year into the Government of National Unity, South Africans are experiencing deep public fragility, even as democratic processes persist. Only about one-third of citizens express confidence in the effectiveness of political institutions, and trust in local government is extremely low at around 26% — the lowest of all institutions surveyed (ijr.org.za).

This lack of trust stems from widespread dissatisfaction with leadership, persistent inequality, poverty, and slow progress on economic inclusion. Many people continue to feel unheard and excluded from meaningful participation in shaping their own futures (ijr.org.za).

Ahead of these elections historical trends show that local government contests can turn violent, driven by competition for resources, factional politics, and weakened community trust (IOL).

 

The Risks: Why Violence Must Be Prevented

The risks ahead of the elections are:

• Heightened political tensions — increasingly fragmented politics and low confidence can fuel frustration.
• Historical local violence patterns — past elections at municipal level saw targeted killings and attacks involving community leaders and councillors (IOL).
• Socio-economic stressors — ongoing poverty and inequality, identified by the Barometer as the greatest barriers to reconciliation, can exacerbate tensions when economic opportunities are limited (ijr.org.za).

Violence, if unchecked, threatens not just lives but the legitimacy of our democratic process. It deepens mistrust, discourages voter participation, and undermines the delivery of services — especially in communities that already feel marginalised.

 

Why Dialogue and Peacebuilding Matter

At its heart, peacebuilding is about strengthening relationships: between neighbours, across divisions and between citizens and leaders.

When we engage in open, respectful dialogue, we reduce fear and build mutual understanding.

Dialogue helps people to express grievances constructively, instead of through conflict; listen and learn from each other’s lived experiences, and; co-design solutions for local challenges.

Peacebuilding is not just the responsibility of government. Every South African can, and must, play a part, from traditional leaders to youth groups, civic organisations, and everyday citizens.

 

Leveraging Digital Tools: Social Media Research

Youth and citizens across the country are deeply engaged online, and this offers both a challenge and an opportunity.

On the one hand, social media can amplify anger, misinformation, or division.
On the other hand, it reveals real-time sentiments across communities and gives us the space to debunk false narratives.

By investing in social media research, we can detect rising tensions early and track circulating narratives that might incite conflict. We can understand community concerns before they spill into violence.

This research should be ethical, transparent, and include diverse voices, not just those with the loudest online presence.

 

Early-Warning Systems for Prevention

Early-warning systems are not just for natural disasters, they can be a powerful peace tool.

When communities, civil society, and authorities share information through coordinated systems, we can:

• Spot risk indicators early.
• Mobilise rapid responses to de-escalate conflict.
• Support local leadership with real-time information.

These systems must be inclusive and community-centred, not top-down. When local people help design and operate them, they are more trusted and effective.

 

Digital Dialogue Facilitation: Bringing People Together Online

Digital dialogue facilitation uses online platforms to create safe, moderated spaces for discussion:

• Community forums with trained facilitators.
• Social media campaigns that promote peace narratives.
• Interactive citizen surveys that feed into public policy discussions.

Online dialogue can complement other actions, reaching youth and rural communities, and making participation more accessible.

It is not about avoiding difficult topics, but it is about navigating them respectfully, creating conditions in which differences are aired without escalating into conflict.

 

A Collective Call to Action

As South Africans preparing for pivotal local government elections, we need to:

• Listen to one another with empathy.
• Support community space for dialogue before elections — not just afterward.
• Invest in research and systems that help us see troubles before they turn violent.
• Embrace digital technologies as tools for connection and peacebuilding.

The 2025 Reconciliation Barometer reminds us that national identity remains strong; most people still believe that a united South Africa is possible — but that trust must be rebuilt through action, not taken for granted (ijr.org.za).

 

Conclusion

Violence in elections does not just happen — it grows where fear, division, and mistrust fill the gaps left by poor communication and lack of inclusion. But where there is dialogue, transparency, and early action, peace is possible.

Let us all commit to create systems of understanding, not conflict. Let us build a democracy where every voice is heard and every vote is respected.