ActionSA’s Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate, Xolani Khumalo, joined residents at the polls on November 4, casting his vote at Topia Church in Endulwini Section, Thembisa, as voters headed out to choose their ward councillors and political representatives in the 2026 Local Government Elections.

Khumalo encouraged residents to exercise their democratic right, saying voting gives communities an opportunity to choose their leadership and hold elected representatives accountable.

“It is important for the community to exercise their voting rights because they get to choose their own leadership and government, and give the political party they trust an opportunity to represent them.

“If you do not vote, then who is representing you? Voting allows the community to hold its representatives accountable if they do not act accordingly,” he said.

Reflecting on his own voting experience, Khumalo said it felt unusual to cast a ballot as a mayoral candidate, but he was pleased to see residents turning out to participate.

“It felt weird to vote for myself, but I am glad that people came out in numbers to cast their votes. In Ekurhuleni, we want to ensure that service delivery is done properly, but most importantly, we want to rebrand Ekurhuleni.

“We need it to be a trusted city that people can believe in, one that can attract international interest. As far as my voting process is concerned, the system inside was amazing,” he said.

Khumalo also highlighted the importance of encouraging young people to become more involved in civic affairs and understand the role they can play in shaping their communities.

Addressing young people in Ekurhuleni, he said he hoped to introduce initiatives to educate them about their rights and responsibilities as citizens.

“From next year, you and I will have a date where we will educate them about the power they have. We want them to understand what it means to be a citizen of this area and Africa. I encourage them to participate more in events like these,” he said.