Local elections approach in Oakland and Cape Town

Local elections are approaching in both Oakland, United States, and Cape Town, South Africa, with candidates outlining their platforms for municipal leadership.

In Oakland, voters will participate in an election starting in October to decide a mayoral race, three City Council seats, three school board seats, and several regional ballot measures. Incumbent Mayor Barbara Lee is running for a full four-year term and faces three challengers: Brenda Grisham, Mindy Pechenuk, and Julius Robinson. The mayoral field is notably smaller than in previous election cycles.

In Cape Town, mayoral candidate Brett Herron of the GOOD Party is campaigning on municipal affordability ahead of the November Local Government Elections. Herron has proposed reviewing the city budget to eliminate unnecessary expenditure and reduce the financial burden on residents. He specifically noted that electricity costs have become approximately 20% more expensive and argued for adhering to NERSA tariffs to improve affordability.