President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially announced 4 November 2026 as the date for South Africa’s upcoming Local Government Elections, setting the stage for political parties and voters to begin preparations.
The President made the announcement on Thursday during the Extended Presidential Coordinating Council (PCC) meeting at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in Ekurhuleni, where he is meeting with Premiers, mayors and senior government officials.
“I therefore determine that the next local Government Elections will be held on a Wednesday, on a date I now determine as the 4th of November 2026. Therefore, with the full concurrence of the Deputy President here, I now determine that the next Local Government Elections will be held on 4 November 2026,” President Ramaphosa said.
The proclamation follows consultations with Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa.
Speaking to the media after the announcement, the President said the elections will mark the completion of a full five-year term since the 2021 municipal polls, in keeping with constitutional timelines.
“The 4th of November 2026 is the date that we have set for the Local Government Elections that will have completed a full five years since [the] 2021 [elections], and this is in line with our constitutional construct [to] keep to those timelines that are clearly set out in our Constitution,” he said.
President Ramaphosa said the announcement provides certainty and signals the official start of the campaign period, with political parties expected to mobilise support and prepare for the polls.
“It gives everyone clear focus on what needs to be done… The race has started, and people will do the best they can.”
President Ramaphosa noted that while elected leaders will campaign for re-election, the administrative arm of municipalities will continue its work to ensure stability and continuity in governance.
The President also stressed the importance of increasing voter turnout, particularly among young people.
“Many parties are already ensuring that they talk to their voters, their supporters, and get voters to be registered, to come forward and vote.
“Voter turnout is always a concern to political parties and indeed to the State or the government because the fewer people who vote, the more we get concerned about the status of our democracy. Our task is to increase voter turnout, to get as many people as possible, especially young people, to come out, register and vote,” the President said.
The President said the remaining six months, supported by media networks, political party mobilisation and the spread of information on social media, should be sufficient.
“The [objective] is to get everyone to be properly mobilised to go out and vote. Today gives them the starting blocks. They must now work harder to make sure that the campaigning starts and [that] voter registration also starts. I will also be doing my part,” he said.
On service delivery, President Ramaphosa said government has already begun implementing key interventions outlined in the Water Action Plan, with several workstreams underway.
He acknowledged that poor service delivery often leads to public dissatisfaction, but said government and political leaders have a responsibility to both demonstrate clear plans and encourage citizens to participate in the democratic process.
“Obviously as services fail… people get disgruntled and they become unhappy. Our job as party leaders and government is to encourage people to come and vote -- as many of them as possible -- and to demonstrate that we have plans,” the President said.
The President added that further details on implementation timelines would be communicated to ensure transparency and accountability.
The announcement marks the official start of preparations for the 2026 Municipal Elections, with political parties expected to ramp up campaigning and voter registration efforts in the months ahead, while government continues efforts to strengthen local governance and rebuild public trust. – SAnews.gov.za
