Ratings Afrika

SA’s independent governance ratings agency. We measure and improve municipal financial sustainability. Make data-driven decisions with confidence.

[Ratings Afrika @ratingsafrika]

SAPOA | Ratings Afrika Municipal Performance Awards
Best Metropolitan Municipality: City of Cape Town
One of the most prestigious honours, the Best Metropolitan Municipality award, was presented to the City of Cape Town.

South Africa’s metropolitan municipalities operate at an exceptional scale and complexity. They serve millions of residents while managing critical infrastructure, essential services and major urban economies.

The City of Cape Town was recognised for rising to these challenges and demonstrating strong performance in leadership, innovation, governance and service delivery.

The City of Cape Town also received the Best Metropolitan Municipality Award in 2025, reflecting its continued recognition in this category.

Congratulations to the entire team at City of Cape Town. @CityofCT

Municipal Performance Award received by:
Geraldine Liebenberg (Manager: Planning & Property Development Facilitation, City of Cape Town)

Municipal Performance Award presented by:
Dr Thabang Chiloane (Head of Financial Inclusion and Public Policy, BASA)
Leon Claassen (Managing Executive, Ratings Afrika)
Steven Brown (President, SAPOA)
Neil Gopal (CEO, SAPOA)

@SAPOA_SA
@BankingZA

#RatingsAfrika #SAPOA #BASA #MunicipalSector #MunicipalPerformance #FinancialSustainability #FinancialManagement #ServiceDelivery #InfrastructureDevelopment #BuiltEnvironment #PropertyDevelopment #LocalGovernment #Governance #GoodGovernance #SouthAfrica

[Ratings Afrika @ratingsafrika]

SAPOA | Ratings Afrika Municipal Performance Awards
First Place: Swartland Municipality
The Best Performing Municipality First Place award for the best-performing local municipality in the country was presented to Swartland Municipality.

Swartland has demonstrated exceptional leadership, sound governance and a strong commitment to delivering meaningful results for its community. The municipality has consistently demonstrated what can be achieved when performance, accountability and excellence are placed at the heart of local government.

Having also been a joint winner of the Municipal Performance Award in 2025, Swartland has once again demonstrated a sustained level of performance that places it among the country’s leading local municipalities.

Congratulations to the entire team at Swartland Municipality.

Municipal Performance Award received by:
Harold Cleophas (Executive Mayor, Swartland)
Joggie Scholtz (Municipal Manager, Swartland)

Municipal Performance Award presented by:
Dr Thabang Chiloane (Head of Financial Inclusion and Public Policy, BASA)
Leon Claassen (Managing Executive, Ratings Afrika)
Steven Brown (President, SAPOA)
Neil Gopal (CEO, SAPOA)

@SAPOA_SA
@BankingZA

#RatingsAfrika #SAPOA #BASA #MunicipalSector #MunicipalPerformance #FinancialSustainability #FinancialManagement #ServiceDelivery #InfrastructureDevelopment #BuiltEnvironment #PropertyDevelopment #LocalGovernment #Governance #GoodGovernance #SouthAfrica

[Ratings Afrika @ratingsafrika]

SAPOA | Ratings Afrika Municipal Performance Awards
Second Place: Saldanha Bay Municipality
The Best Performing Municipality Second Place award was presented to Saldanha Bay Municipality. Saldanha Bay has demonstrated exceptional performance, strong leadership and a sustained commitment to excellence.

The municipality was also a joint winner of the Municipal Performance Award in 2025, making its continued strong performance particularly noteworthy.

Its recognition in 2026 reflects the importance of maintaining high standards and building on a strong foundation of sound municipal management.

Congratulations to the entire team at Saldanha Bay Municipality.

Municipal Performance Award received by:
Stefan Vorster (Chief Financial Officer, Saldanha Bay)
Marius Koen (Executive Mayor, Saldanha Bay)
Heinrich Mettler (Municipal Manager, Saldanha Bay)

Municipal Performance Award presented by:
Dr Thabang Chiloane (Head of Financial Inclusion and Public Policy, BASA)
Leon Claassen (Managing Executive, Ratings Afrika)
Steven Brown (President, SAPOA)
Neil Gopal (CEO, SAPOA)

@SAPOA_SA
@BankingZA

#RatingsAfrika #SAPOA #BASA #MunicipalSector #MunicipalPerformance #FinancialSustainability #FinancialManagement #ServiceDelivery #InfrastructureDevelopment #BuiltEnvironment #PropertyDevelopment #LocalGovernment #Governance #GoodGovernance #SouthAfrica

[Ratings Afrika @ratingsafrika]

SAPOA | Ratings Afrika Municipal Performance Awards
Third Place: Hessequa Municipality
The Best Performing Municipality Third Place award was presented to Hessequa Municipality. This recognition is particularly significant as it marks the second consecutive year that Hessequa Municipality has received the Third Place Award, following its recognition in 2025.

While relatively small in size, Hessequa has consistently demonstrated strong leadership, sound management practices and fiscal discipline. Its performance demonstrates that size is no barrier to achieving high standards of financial management, governance and municipal performance.

Congratulations to the entire team at Hessequa Municipality.

Municipal Performance Award received by:
Albert de Klerk (Municipal Manager, Hessequa)
Grant Riddles (Executive Mayor, Hessequa)

Municipal Performance Award presented by:
Dr Thabang Chiloane (Head of Financial Inclusion and Public Policy, BASA)
Leon Claassen (Managing Executive, Ratings Afrika)
Steven Brown (President, SAPOA)
Neil Gopal (CEO, SAPOA)

@SAPOA_SA
@BankingZA

#RatingsAfrika #SAPOA #BASA #MunicipalSector #MunicipalPerformance #FinancialSustainability #FinancialManagement #ServiceDelivery #InfrastructureDevelopment #BuiltEnvironment #PropertyDevelopment #LocalGovernment #Governance #GoodGovernance #SouthAfrica

[Ratings Afrika @ratingsafrika]

SAPOA | Ratings Afrika Municipal Performance Awards
Most Improved Municipality: Drakenstein Municipality
The Most Improved Municipality award recognises a municipality that has demonstrated significant progress, embraced change and raised the bar for improved performance. This year the award was presented to Drakenstein Municipality.

From a very weak financial sustainability position in 2019, Drakenstein has progressed to become the fifth-highest-scoring municipality on the MFSI® in 2025. The significant improvement in its overall financial sustainability score over the past six years is commendable and reflects exceptional leadership, a strong focus on strategic planning, together with sound management policies and practices.

Drakenstein’s journey demonstrates the impact that sustained focus, effective management and a commitment to continuous improvement can have on municipal performance. It is therefore fitting that Drakenstein Municipality has been recognised as the 2026 Most Improved Municipality.

Congratulations to the entire team at Drakenstein Municipality.

Municipal Performance Award received by:
Stephen Korabie (Executive Mayor, Drakenstein)
Dr Johan Leibbrandt (Municipal Manager, Drakenstein)

Municipal Performance Award presented by:
Neil Gopal (CEO, SAPOA)
Dr Thabang Chiloane (Head of Financial Inclusion and Public Policy, BASA)
Leon Claassen (Managing Executive, Ratings Afrika)
Steven Brown (President, SAPOA)

@SAPOA_SA
@BankingZA

#RatingsAfrika #SAPOA #BASA #MunicipalSector #MunicipalPerformance #FinancialSustainability #FinancialManagement #ServiceDelivery #InfrastructureDevelopment #BuiltEnvironment #PropertyDevelopment #LocalGovernment #Governance #GoodGovernance #SouthAfrica

[Ratings Afrika @ratingsafrika]

United by a shared vision, SAPOA, Ratings Afrika and The Banking Association South Africa are committed to championing stronger, more capable and sustainable local government. The 2026 Municipal Performance Awards once again shone a light on municipalities that are prepared to lead, embrace change and deliver results. The awards are more than a celebration of achievement. They are a recognition of what is possible when leadership, sound governance, financial discipline and a commitment to service delivery come together.

Recipients Of The 2026 Municipal Performance Awards:

Most Improved Municipality: Drakenstein Municipality
Third Place: Hessequa Municipality
Second Place: Saldanha Bay Municipality
First Place: Swartland Municipality
Best Metropolitan Municipality: City of Cape Town

@SAPOA_SA
@BankingZA

#RatingsAfrika #SAPOA #BASA #MunicipalSector #MunicipalPerformance #FinancialSustainability #FinancialManagement #ServiceDelivery #InfrastructureDevelopment #BuiltEnvironment #PropertyDevelopment #LocalGovernment #Governance #GoodGovernance #SouthAfrica

[Ratings Afrika @ratingsafrika]

The 2026 Municipal Performance Awards were presented on 1 October 2026 at SAPOA’s prestigious Annual Convention at Sun City, as SAPOA celebrated its 60th anniversary under the theme, “Elevating Property. Elevating South Africa. 60 Years & Beyond.”

Ratings Afrika is honoured to have partnered once again with SAPOA and BASA in recognising municipalities that are demonstrating what strong local government can achieve.

Strong municipalities are fundamental to South Africa’s economic and social development. For communities to thrive and the country to grow, municipalities must be able to deliver reliable services, maintain and invest in infrastructure, manage public finances responsibly, remain accountable to their communities and uphold high standards of governance.

The Municipal Performance Awards recognise those municipalities that are demonstrating these principles in practice, while encouraging municipalities across the country to continue striving for higher standards.

@SAPOA_SA
@BankingZA

#RatingsAfrika #SAPOA #BASA #MunicipalSector #MunicipalPerformance #FinancialSustainability #FinancialManagement #ServiceDelivery #InfrastructureDevelopment #BuiltEnvironment #PropertyDevelopment #LocalGovernment #Governance #GoodGovernance #SouthAfrica

[Ratings Afrika @ratingsafrika]

Gumede of Newzroom Afrika interviewed Ratings Afrika’s Managing Executive Leon Claassen for The Citizen Call - Elections Show. They discussed the financial position of Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality. Key points include the municipality’s financial position, budget management, governance challenges, as well as some of the measures needed to improve the municipal performance and service delivery.

“The residents are entitled to good services, because they pay their bills. Mangaung has a big budget of about R12 billion. There is enough money to make sure the municipality can function properly,” says Claassen.

Standing in contrast to Mangaung is Midvaal Local Municipality. According to Ratings Afrika’s Municipal Financial Sustainability Index (MFSI®) Midvaal is the top performing municipality in Gauteng. Executive Mayor Peter Teixeira discusses how Midvaal serve the community through good management, financial discipline and service delivery.

@Newzroom405
@ArabileG
@CityofMangaung_
@MidvaalLM
@PeterTeixeiraEM

Note: Ratings Afrika’s opinions and evaluations are unbiased and apolitical. All governance assessments are conducted independently and apolitically, using published financial statements and structured analysis.

You can watch it on YouTube. The interview starts at 20:12
https://t.co/TxJpVaMrJN

#SouthAfrica #SA #Elections #Governance #Mangaung #Midvaal #Municipality #Metropolitan

[Ratings Afrika @ratingsafrika]

“[12 October 2026] the Mayor of Tshwane delivered a dismal report on delivery under the ANC-led coalition. She celebrates that the City is spending R96 million a year on Water Tankers, rather than water in taps – which is disgraceful. This is on top of R777 million already spent on Water Tankers under the ANC-ActionSA-EFF coalition.”

“In a lengthy statement, [Mayor Nasiphi] Moya tries to justify her term of office; the length of the statement appears to be an attempt to make up for a lack of substantial success. The truth is that her betrayal of voters, at the instruction of Herman Mashaba, has left Tshwane poorer, weaker and more vulnerable to infrastructure failures.

Moya’s statement comes in the same week that Ratings Afrika confirmed that Tshwane is in the worst financial position of all the metros, a rating that reflects the deterioration in infrastructure and basic services in the nation’s capital. Moya cannot claim that this is the result of other people’s decisions.”

@nasiphim

Article by @CilliersB for @Politicsweb

Read more: https://t.co/814MFi9i0Q

Note: Ratings Afrika’s opinions and evaluations are unbiased and apolitical. All governance assessments are conducted independently and apolitically, using published financial statements and structured analysis.

[Ratings Afrika @ratingsafrika]

“The Drakenstein Local Municipality has been voted the most improved municipality in South Africa, and is now ranked amongst the five best municipalities in the country. The recognition was awarded to the municipality at the 2026 Municipal Performance Awards, which recognise municipalities that have demonstrated strong financial governance and resilience. The awards were presented by Ratings Afrika, in collaboration with the South African Property Owners Association (SAPOA) and the Banking Association of South Africa (BASA).

@SAPOA_SA @BankingZA

In 2017, Drakenstein was ranked the 51st-best municipality in South Africa, achieving a score of 45 out of 100 on the Municipal Financial Sustainability Index (MFSI). “From a very weak financial sustainability position in 2019, Drakenstein has progressed to become the fifth highest-scoring municipality on the MFSI in 2026,” Ratings Afrika managing executive Leon Claassen said. Drakenstein was one of just five municipalities which received an MFSI rating of 70 or above in the 2026 ranking, with the remaining four also located within the Western Cape.”

Article by Declan Thompson for @DailyInvestorSA

Read more: https://t.co/YztGxQC6ae

[Ratings Afrika @ratingsafrika]

Suid-Afrikaners stem op 4 November in die munisipale verkiesing. Antoinette Slabbert bekyk die stand van sake in die land se agt metro’s waar ’n fel stryd verwag word. Die finansiële volhoubaarheid is toegeken deur Ratings Afrika.

Deur Antoinette Slabbert vir @RapportSA @Netwerk24

Lees meer: https://t.co/EKGsPKr69J

[Ratings Afrika @ratingsafrika]

“Die Nelson Mandelabaai-metro het ’n punt van 48 uit 100 behaal in Ratings Afrika se indeks vir finansiële volhoubaarheid. gegrond op sy jongste stel geouditeerde finansiële state, naamlik vir die 2025-boekjaar. Hoewel dit nie te sleg is nie, is daar ’n afwaartse tendens sedert 2021, sê Leon Claassen, die agentskap se ontleder. Die grootste swakpunt in die metroraad se finansiële volhoubaarheid is sy bedryfsprestasie, wat in die daardie boekjaar op ’n bedryfsverlies van R1 miljard uitgeloop het.”

@NMandelaBaymuni

Berig deur Antoinette Slabbert vir @RapportSA @Netwerk24

Lees meer: https://t.co/zJuFAyRj6x

[Ratings Afrika @ratingsafrika]

“Die Mangaung-metroraad het in 2025 ’n swak punt van 30 uit 100 behaal op Ratings Afrika se indeks vir die finansiële volhoubaarheid van munisipaliteite. Die beoordeling is gegrond op die raad se jongste geouditeerde finansiële state. Met die telling is Mangaung naas Tshwane die tweede swakste van die agt metrorade landwyd.”

@CityofMangaung_

Berig deur Antoinette Slabbert vir @RapportSA @Netwerk24

Lees meer: https://t.co/YVybS0NeWZ

[Ratings Afrika @ratingsafrika]

“Die eThekwini-metroraad het ’n telling van 36 uit 100 behaal in Ratings Afrika se indeks vir finansiële volhoubaarheid, gegrond op sy geouditeerde finansiële state die 2025-boekjaar. Dit is volgens Leon Claassen, ontleder by Ratings Afrika, redelik, maar toon ook agteruitgang oor die afgelope 10 jaar. Die metroraad het in 2025 ’n bedryfsverlies van R3,3 miljard aangeteken, wat volgens Claassen uiters kommerwekkend is. “Dit dui op swakhede in finansiële bestuur en fiskale dissipline; sê hy. Bedryfsuitgawes is te hoog vir die inkomste wat die raad tans genereer.”

@eThekwiniM

Berig deur Antoinette Slabbert vir @RapportSA @Netwerk24

Lees meer: https://t.co/vsVTA9MElJ

[Ratings Afrika @ratingsafrika]

“Die Tshwane-metroraad het met ’n punt van 25 uit 100 die swakste van al die metrorade in Ratings Afrika se indeks vir finansiële volhoubaarheid gevaar. Volgens Leon Claassen, ontleder van Ratings Afrika, is dit ’n baie lae punt, wat dui op diepgewortelde finansiële probleme wat bykans onoorkomelike struikelblokke vir die regering skep. Die beoordeling is gegrond op die metroraad se jongste stel geouditeerde finansiële state, naamlik vir die 2025-boekjaar.”

@CityTshwane

Berig deur Antoinette Slabbert vir @RapportSA @Netwerk24

Lees meer: https://t.co/OJWHTKwwZs

[Ratings Afrika @ratingsafrika]

“Die Johannesburg-metroraad het ’n lae punt van 35 behaal in Ratings Afrika se indeks vir munisipaliteite se finansiële volhoubaarheid. Dit is gegrond op die jongste stel geouditeerde state vir die 2024-25-boekjaar. Die Lae punt is rede tot ernstige kommer, se Leon Claassen, ontleder van Ratings Afrika. “Johannesburg is as’t ware Suid-Afrika se hoofstad wat betref sake en finansies, en dit plaas ’n groot verantwoordelikheid op die stadsadministrasie,” se Claassen. “Dit en die snelle bevolkingsgroei plaas toenemende druk op die metroraad om toereikende dienste te lewer en sy infrastruktuur in stand te hou en uit te brei. Daarvoor het die metroraad ’n sterk en volhoubare finansiële grondslag nodig.”

@CityofJoburgZA

Berig deur Antoinette Slabbert vir @RapportSA @Netwerk24

Lees meer: https://t.co/K4VM87OOiu

[Ratings Afrika @ratingsafrika]

“Die Ekurhuleni-metroraad se telling op Ratings Afrika se indeks vir finansiële volhoubaarheid is 31 uit 100. Dit is gegrond op die raad se jongste stel geouditeerde finansiële state en weerspieël ’n baie lae vlak van finansiële volhoubaarheid. Dit het ook oor die afgelope vyf jaar effens verswak en is onder die gemiddelde punt van 40 vir al agt metrorade, se Leon Claassen, ontleder van Ratings Afrika. Die grootste swak punt in Ekurhuleni se mondering is die finansiële volhoubaarheid gegewe sy probleem met likiditeit. In 2025 het Ekurhuleni ’n kontanttekort van R4,6 miljard getoon. Dit is ’n baie swak likiditeitsposisie wat die raad se vermoë vir dienslewering aan sy inwoners erg belemmer.”

@City_Ekurhuleni

Berig deur Antoinette Slabbert vir @RapportSA @Netwerk24

Lees meer: https://t.co/slteLEOVs2

[Ratings Afrika @ratingsafrika]

“Die Kaapstad-metroraad staan met ’n telling van 71 uit 100 op Ratings Afrika se indeks vir munisipaliteite se finansiële volhoubaarheid kop en skouers bo sy ampsgenote uit. Kaapstad het boonop in 2025 een punt beter gevaar as die vorige jaar. Die telling is gegrond op die metroraad se geouditeerde finansiële state vir die 2025-boekjaar. Leon Claassen, ontleder van Ratings Afrika, sê die metroraad se bestendige goeie vertoning is gerusstellend vir inwoners en ondernemings in die metrogebied dat die metro goed bestuur word en die finansiële veerkragtigheid het om skokke van buite te hanteer.”

@CityofCT

Berig deur Antoinette Slabbert vir @RapportSA @Netwerk24

Lees meer: https://t.co/PRv1roQbUA

[Ratings Afrika @ratingsafrika]

“Hoewel Buffalo City se telling vir finansiële volhoubaarheid volgens Ratings Afrika nie te sleg is nie, is dit sedert 2021 besig om te verswak. Dit kan die metroraad se vermoë om goeie dienste aan sy inwoners te lewer, benadeel. Die grootste probleem is dat die metroraad se inkomste minder is as sy uitgawes. Die geouditeerde finansiële state vir die 2025-boekjaar toon ’n bedryfsverlies van R1 miljard. Dit is weliswaar minder as die vorige jaar se verlies van R1,3 miljard, maar steeds te hoog. Dit beteken dat daar nie geld is om infrastruktuur uit te brei en in stand te hou nie. Met ’n surplus van R650 miljoen het Buffalo City genoeg kontant tot sy beskikking gehad, wat ’n positiewe tendens toon. Oor die afgelope twee jaar kon die metroraad egter net daarin slaag om 85% van sy uitstaande verbruikerskuld in te vorder, wat druk op likiditeit plaas en dienslewering kan belemmer as dit sou voortduur.”

@OfficialBCMM

Berig deur Antoinette Slabbert vir @RapportSA @Netwerk24

Lees meer: https://t.co/XqEHOKucFb