University of Johannesburg Department of Politics and International Relations Associate Professor Mcebisi Ndletyana said on Tuesday that the 2021 local government elections will, this time, provide relatively wider choices for voters.

South Africans will head to the polls on November 1 to elect leadership for the country’s 257 municipalities.

“Locals have been hurt enough to a point where they will make new choices, they will elect different people instead of electing the same people over again, hopefully,” he said.

Ndletyana was in conversation with award-winning financial journalist Bruce Whitfield pointing out that people vote based on the options presented to them in the voting system, remarking that some people’s expectations were maybe not high enough.

Meanwhile, he said the state of South African politics was at times a little depressing and tiring, pointing out “the audacity” with which politicians embezzle public funds.

He explained that this happens even while there are urgent challenges that need to be addressed.

He said the country was in the position is is today because of political leaders who look at the State as a source of livelihood, instead of an instrument to transform lives.

Ndletyana added that these leaders wanted to take as much as they could while they were still in power.

Ndletyana explained that citizens need to “reset, have a new orientation”.