Special voters call on residents to use their ballots to bring change to communities

With the 2026 Local Government Elections set for Wednesday, special voters in Atteridgeville, west of Pretoria, have urged residents to turn out in their numbers on Election Day, saying voting is an important way to hold elected leaders accountable and bring about change in their communities.

At Zodwa Special School, 39-year-old Kholofelo Magodielo said she opted for special voting because her retail work commitments would prevent her from casting her ballot on Wednesday.

Magodielo said participating in the Local Government Elections are an opportunity to express her expectations of local leadership and the delivery of basic services.

“Voting in this Local Government Elections is basically saying, 'I need to see change in my community, better services, and see my counsellor, making sure that they are available and able to deliver services to us. When we call upon them, they must be able to answer to our calls,” she told SAnews.

She said voters need to elect leaders they can trust to respond to their concerns and address challenges affecting their communities. 

“It's all about change. My vote says that I am willing to put myself out there. Vote and see the change,” she said.  

Magodielo also challenged residents who intended to stay away from the polls, saying active participation is part of being a responsible citizen.

“In essence, if you are not going to vote, you are not being a responsible citizen and taking matters into your own hands. Coming here today says I want my voice to be heard and I want to see the change. If you want the same, you have to take the first step. Tomorrow, come in your numbers. Come with the spirit that says, 'I want to see change',” she said.

She encouraged voters to make their voices count by turning up at voting stations.

“My message is that if you want to see change make it happen. Wake up in the morning, stand in that queue and put that cross (sic),” Magodielo said.

Meanwhile, Taki Masindi, who cast his special vote at Motheong Primary School in Atteridgeville, said he applied for the opportunity because he will be working on Election Day.

Masindi said voting is important because it allows citizens to participate in decisions that shape the future of their communities, rather than merely criticising those in leadership.

“I applied for the special vote because I didn’t want to miss my chance to make my voice heard. I don’t want to be complaining on the sidelines while doing nothing. It is important to cast your vote so that you have a hand in the change that’s coming,” he told SAnews. 

He also shared his views on coalition governments, expressing a preference for a party to secure an outright majority. 

“My wish is that there is a party that can win without coalition, so that the party can take decisions by itself. I find coalitions to work against the people because the parties often fight amongst themselves,” he said.

Masindi urged residents to participate in the elections, saying voting will also give them a point of reference when holding elected leaders accountable.

Special voting across the country

A total of 2 655 067 voters were approved for special votes ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.

The special voting process caters for registered voters who may be unable to reach voting stations due to physical infirmity or disability, as well as those who will not be available to vote at their registered voting stations on Election Day.

Of the approved voters, 678 525 cast their ballots through home visits due to physical infirmity or disability, while 1 976 542 have been approved to vote at their registered voting stations.

KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest number of approved home visits at 143 714, while Gauteng had the highest number of voting station-based special votes at 391 589.

Gauteng also recorded the highest overall number of approved special voters at 480 721, followed by the Eastern Cape with 401 971 and KwaZulu-Natal with 348 971. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: Original report at SAnews.gov.za.