Cape Town residents are naming crime, the rising cost of living, and unemployment as their foremost concerns ahead of the 2026 elections, according to reporting by IOL. IOL reported that residents are worried about high crime rates in the city, with many feeling that government efforts to address the issue have been insufficient. The outlet noted that the cost of living remains a major pressure, with rising prices for food, housing, and other essentials making it difficult for households to make ends meet.