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

Ahead of the November 4 local government elections, the inaugural Greenfields Hope & Fear Index found that 33% of Cape Town respondents named crime and corruption as major concerns, followed by the rising cost of living at 28% and unemployment at 19%. People and communities were the leading source of hope for 26% of respondents, with economic growth and opportunity next at 16%. One in five said nothing gave them hope. The study examined hopes and fears for the coming year, not voting intentions, party support or satisfaction with the City of Cape Town.