Monday, 2 November, brings the first of two scheduled special-voting days ahead of South Africa’s municipal elections. It is also the scheduled payment date for disability grants, while exporters await a US decision on South Africa’s AGOA eligibility.
Special voting is scheduled to start at 08:00
Voting stations are due to operate from 08:00 to 17:00 today and Tuesday for approved special voters. The Electoral Commission said on Sunday that 2,655,067 people had been approved across home visits and voting-station ballots.
Approved station voters must use the station where they are registered and bring a Smart ID Card, green barcoded ID book or temporary ID. The IEC has deployed 127,000 officials for the two-day operation.
For people awaiting home visits, EBNewsDaily’s guide to the IEC’s home-visit arrangements explains the commission’s instructions.
Special votes are not due to be counted today or Tuesday. The IEC says they will be reconciled and counted with election-day ballots. The main voting day is Wednesday, 4 November.
Disability grants are due today
SASSA’s revised November timetable sets Monday as the disability-grant payment date, followed by children’s grants on Tuesday, 3 November. Thursday, 5 November, is the separate date allocated to grants in the review process.
These are scheduled dates, not confirmation that money has arrived in every beneficiary’s account. People undergoing reviews should respond to SASSA’s official communications and attend appointments when requested.
See the November payment-date guide for the full timetable.
AGOA decision remains one to watch
The United States is expected to announce its decision on South Africa’s eligibility for African Growth and Opportunity Act benefits for 2027 today, according to the government’s 30 October statement.
The programme offers eligible African countries preferential access to the US market. The timing and outcome of the decision had not been verified for this briefing. An expected announcement does not establish whether South Africa will retain its benefits.
Monday’s weather
CustomWeather’s forecasts on timeanddate.com, updated at 05:24 SAST, indicate:
- Johannesburg: a high of 25°C and low of 16°C, with overcast skies and showers later.
- Cape Town: 20°C and 15°C, cloudy with light rain early.
- Pretoria: 28°C and 17°C, overcast with passing showers.
These are forecasts for Monday, 2 November, not observations or confirmation of severe-weather warning levels.
Checked at 07:05 SAST on 2 November 2026. This is a morning briefing of verified schedules and outstanding decisions, not live coverage.
