18 May a public holiday

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has declared 18 May - the day of Local Government Elections - as a public holiday.

"In terms of Section 2A of the Public Holidays Act, 1994, (Act No. 36 of 1994), President Jacob Zuma has declared 18 May 2011 as a public holiday throughout the Republic. The declaration will enable voters to participate in the local government elections on the day," the Presidency said in a statement on Wednesday.

The President has wished all political parties well as they prepare for the elections.