Xolile Lufefe is pressing Johannesburg residents to keep the city on the hook as the 2026 local government elections draw closer. The call centers on a blunt question: who answers when complaints about service delivery go nowhere? Water shortages and failing infrastructure have worn down public trust across the metro in recent years. Coalition churn since the last municipal vote is often blamed for repairs that stall halfway. Lufefe's message is that the ballot in 2026 remains the strongest lever ordinary residents have. Campaign talk is already circling around performance in office rather than party colors. City hall now faces a year of defending its record before voters head back to the polls.