Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli has called on young people and all eligible voters to turn out in large numbers for the 2026 Local Government Elections.
Speaking to the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) on Monday, Mhlauli urged young people to exercise their democratic right to vote and help shape decisions that affect their communities.
Special voting is taking place on Monday and Tuesday, enabling registered voters who may be unable to reach voting stations due to physical infirmity or disability, as well as those who may, for various reasons, be unable to vote in person on Election Day, to cast their ballots.
Mhlauli encouraged registered special voters to make their voices heard and reminded other eligible voters to prepare to cast their ballots on Wednesday, 4 November 2026.
She said young people, in particular, must take an active role in democratic processes beyond election day by attending ward and council meetings and participating in platforms established at municipal level.
“When we as young people do not attend meetings or participate in the various platforms created for the running of our municipalities and wards, those who do participate make decisions on our behalf,” Mhlauli said.
The Deputy Minister also urged young people to use the elections as an opportunity to influence the future of their communities, and ensure their voices are represented in local governance.
“On the 4th of November, go out to vote. South Africa is currently 32 years into our democratic dispensation, and all of the strides we have made in the past 32 years are because of those who fought for this hard-earned democracy, but also, ultimately, those who have participated in the democratic system,” she said.
Mhlauli warned that opting out of democratic processes leaves decisions in the hands of those who participate, potentially excluding the needs and priorities of young people and other sections of society.
She called on voters to take responsibility for the future of their municipalities by participating in the elections and remaining engaged in local governance beyond the polls.
“Go out, participate and, most importantly, vote and show up on the 4th of November.”
In the local government elections, voters may vote only at their registered voting station. The Electoral Commission urges voters to check their voting station details before Election Day.
To check, send your ID number via WhatsApp to 0600 88 0000 or SMS to 32810 at R1 per SMS.
Voters will receive their registered voting station’s name and voters’ roll sequence number. Providing this number to election officials on Election Day helps them find voters’ names on the roll more quickly. – SAnews.gov.za
Source: Original report at SAnews.gov.za.
