Cape Town residents cite crime, costs and unemployment as top concerns ahead of 2026 elections

A new Greenfields Hope & Fear Index reveals what gives Cape Town respondents hope and what concerns them ahead of the local government elections. Crime and corruption, the rising cost of living and unemployment top the list of concerns, while people and communities are the leading source of hope. The study also finds that hope and fear can coexist, with 71% of Cape Town respondents reporting fear and 52% reporting hope about South Africa's future.