The Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) in the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality has expressed satisfaction with steady voter turnout as election day progresses.

Speaking on the smooth operations, Steve Tshwete IEC municipal electoral officer Elvis Ngcobo highlighted efficient voting procedures, manageable queues, and an encouraging turnout.

“We are very happy with the performance, voting is going well, the lines are not too long, and we think voter turnout at this stage is quite good,” Ngcobo said.

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With only a few hours remaining before voting stations close, Ngcobo urged Steve Tshwete residents who have not yet cast their ballots to head to the polls.

Although afternoon temperatures were high, conditions have cooled down.

“I really want to urge people of Steve Tshwete to come out and cast your vote so that their rights can be exercised,” Ngcobo said.

Smooth voting process in Steve Tshwete

Addressing the state of the local elections, Ngcobo confirmed that Steve Tshwete has remained stable and largely free of major incidents.

While minor issues have been reported in other parts of the province, no significant problems have surfaced locally.

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With polls closing at 21:00, Ngcobo said that the final push is on to ensure residents make the most of their opportunity to shape local governance.

Young voters call for better opportunities

As local elections bring community issues into focus, young voices are stepping up to demand better opportunities and improved public services.

Thembisile Seabutla, a young resident who cast her vote at Mphanama High School in Ward 22, shared why youth participation is vital.

Speaking to journalist Emanuel Majola about her decision to vote, Seabutla emphasised that young people need to be taken seriously.

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“I believe that as a young person, the issues that matter the most are the issues that affect me as a young person. One of the issues is that young people are not being taken very seriously, there’s no youth development in Mhluzi,” Seabutla said.

Youth development and service delivery

She highlighted how better local governance and improved service delivery could strengthen the local economy and create jobs.

“I want our local government to put more effort in youth development, to put more effort in service delivery, because I believe that if service delivery can be improved, these businesses that are around Mhluzi can help hire us and be better us.”

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Preliminary local government election results are expected to start coming in from the provincial results centre in White River around midnight as voting across the province enters its final hours ahead of the 21:00 closing time.