Residents cast votes with hopes of a better Kempton Park

Residents of Kempton Park have begun to cast their votes in the 2026 Local Government Elections at Laerskool Birchleigh with many hoping their votes will bring improvements to local service delivery and the future of their communities.

When the Kempton Express visited the polling station the atmosphere was calm during with residents patiently waiting in queues that moved steadily.

Young and first-time voters joined older residents in exercising their democratic right, with many highlighting concerns about municipal service delivery, including potholes, broken streetlights, electricity interruptions and water supply challenges.

For Ntokozo Biyela, casting his vote was about securing a better community and ensuring that those elected are held accountable for their promises.

“I am casting my vote today for a better community. Some of the most pressing issues we face are streetlights that are not working, potholes, electricity interruptions and water challenges. These are the main things we need as a community to live well,” he said.

Biyela added that residents needed to hold elected representatives accountable once the elections were over.

“They cannot promise to be there for the community and then fail to deliver after we have voted for them. What is important is that we hold them to their promises and make sure those commitments are fulfilled.”

Zakhele Ncongwane said he was voting with the hope of improving the standard of living in Kempton Park.

“It is all about my future and the standard of living. Years ago, when I bought my house, this was a very nice place. Now, it is a history of itself. We really need change,” he said.

Ncongwane described the state of service delivery as extremely poor and said he hoped whoever was elected would recognise residents’ needs and prioritise their well-being.

“We hope things will get better. Whoever comes in must realise that people need to be taken care of. We hope for the best,” he said.

For Sarie du Toit, her decision to vote was driven by the future of her children and grandchildren.

“I came out to cast my vote because I have children and grandchildren, and I am doing this for their future,” she said.

Du Toit also raised concerns about service delivery, particularly potholes and broken streetlights, adding that she hoped the party she voted for would make a difference.

“I would really like to see improvements after the elections,” she said.

As residents cast their ballots, their expectations highlighted a common message: they want elected representatives who will listen to their concerns, address everyday service delivery challenges and deliver on the commitments made to communities.