Midrand election day live updates: Residents head to voting stations
Several familiar councillors are bowing out, party affiliations have shifted, and new candidates are entering the race. Here's what to know about Midrand's election day.
With several outgoing councillors not returning, new political faces entering the contest and dozens of candidates vying for ward positions, residents across Midrand head to the polls today, November 4.
Eligible voters across South Africa, including those in Greater Midrand, Greater Ivory Park, Rabie Ridge and surrounding communities, will cast their ballots in the 2026 Local Government Elections to elect the political leadership that will represent them for the next five years.
Midrand Reporter’s election-day coverage will continue throughout the day, with updates from voting stations, candidate reactions, voter experiences and developments across the area’s wards.
10:35 Young voters turn out in numbers in Ward 110 as polling stations remain busy
Voting is progressing smoothly in Ward 110, with residents turning out at various polling stations, including Gallagher Combined School in Halfway House, where long queues have formed. Young people are particularly visible among those waiting to cast their ballots at Gallagher Combined School, reflecting a notable youth presence at the voting station.
At Mayibuye Primary School, voting is also proceeding smoothly, although no significant queues had formed at the time of reporting. Meanwhile, Maphutha Secondary School has also seen a steady turnout of residents.
Among those casting their ballots for the first time at Mayibuye Primary was 21-year-old Rabie Ridge resident Musa Ngcukana, who said he hoped elected leaders would prioritise service delivery.
“I am here to vote. What I ask for is that the people we vote for do the right thing. Streetlights here in Mayibuye are damaged, the roads are damaged, parks and other infrastructure need to be fixed and maintained. If we get [service delivery] right, we will be grateful as a community,” he said.
First-time voter Musa Ngcukana (21) from Rabie Ridge, casts his ballot at Mayibuye Primary School in Ward 110, hoping elected leaders will prioritise service delivery. Photo: Itumeleng Molefe.
9:10 Rise Mzansi candidate reports smooth voting process in Midrand, Noodwyk
Rise Mzansi candidate Lawrence Manaka, who is contesting wards 93 and 112, has reported a smooth start to the voting process at a voting station in Midrand. Manaka said everything was going well so far, with no technical glitches reported and queues moving smoothly. He also confirmed that ballot papers were available at the station, while various organisations, including representatives of political parties, were present. At the time of the interview, Manaka said there were no major challenges affecting the voting process.
09:00 Queues build up at Midrand voting stations amid high voter turnout
Voting stations across Midrand continue to receive voters, with queues building up at some polling stations as residents turn out to cast their ballots in the 2026 Local Government Elections.
In Ward 112, Patriotic Alliance (PA) ward councillor candidate Lebogang Shovote confirmed that voters are turning out in numbers at Noordwyk Primary School.
Shovote said a system glitch had briefly disrupted the queue, causing delays, but the issue had since been resolved, and voting was moving again. “Noordwyk Primary is a bit of a mess, but voters are voting. However, they made voters wait at station one, and when some were closer to the door, they changed their process and were expected to go to another container,” she said.
She added that the turnout appeared to be higher than during the previous national and provincial government elections.
Also voting at Noordwyk Secondary is Economic Redress Movement ward candidate Thabiso Telekoa, who said, “People really are determined to cast their votes. Queues started before 06:00. This will be the local government elections with the most votes ever.”
Meanwhile, at Midrand Primary School, residents reported long queues as voters waited to cast their ballots. Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Ronald Lamola is also expected to cast his vote at Midrand Primary. In Ward 80, Rabie Ridge residents continued to turn out at Allanridge Secondary School. PA proportional representation candidate George Henry urged voters to keep service delivery in mind when making their choices at the polls.
07:45 Ward 132 and 80 voting stations open, queues moving
Voting is underway across Wards 132 and 80, with voting stations open and queues moving smoothly as residents turn out to cast their ballots in the 2026 Local Government Elections.
Ward 132 councillor Annette Deppe confirmed that all voting stations in the ward are open, with voting proceeding smoothly at Kyalami Preparatory School. Deppe said the queue at the station was moving when she visited this morning, marking her first stop as she monitored the voting process across the ward.
A steady flow of voters at Kyalami Preparatory School as residents cast their ballots in the local government elections. Photo: Annette Deppe
Meanwhile, the African Transformation Movement (ATM) mayoral candidate for the City of Johannesburg, Vuyo Zungula, is expected to cast his vote at Midrand High School at 11:00.
In Rabie Ridge’s Ward 80, the Midrand Reporter is on the ground at Allanridge Secondary School, where a small queue has formed, with voters also moving through the station smoothly.
Ward 80 residents turn out to exercise their democratic right at Allanridge Secondary School this morning. Photo: Itumeleng Molefe
What you need to know
For communities in the City of Johannesburg’s Region A, the elections come amid significant political changes, with several long-serving councillors not returning to contest their wards, others changing political affiliations and new candidates entering the race.
Midrand and surrounding areas are made up of several neighbouring municipal wards, including wards 80, 93, 110, 112 and 132, as well as wards 78, 79, 92, 111 and 133, covering communities across Vorna Valley, Noordwyk, Waterfall, Ivory Park, Rabie Ridge, Mayibuye, Kaalfontein and other surrounding neighbourhoods.
The elections also follow changes to Johannesburg’s electoral boundaries, with the Municipal Demarcation Board’s ward delimitation process resulting in adjustments to ward boundaries across the city.
As the city prepares for a new political term, several familiar faces in the Midrand political landscape will be absent from the ballot, while others are hoping to retain their positions.
Fierce contest in Ward 112
Ward 112 is among the wards attracting attention, with 53 candidates contesting the position of ward councillor.
Outgoing Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor Lerato Mphefo will not return as the party’s candidate after she was informed several months ago that she would not be nominated to contest the ward again.
Mphefo has since joined the newly established Economic Redress Movement (ERM), whose ward candidate is Thabiso Telekoa, a former Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) proportional representation councillor in the City of Johannesburg.
Among the candidates contesting Ward 112 are Khomotjo Mashala of ActionSA, Lulama Mfingwana of the African National Congress (ANC), Zuziwe Vobi of the African Transformation Movement (ATM), Primrose Makhathini of the EFF, Lebogang Shovhote of the Patriotic Alliance (PA), Komani Dhlamini of the DA, and independent candidate Bonginkosi Nhlapo.
EFF candidate Makhathini said she would be voting at Spark School Carlswald, while PA candidate Shovhote had already cast her special vote on November 3.
Dozens line up across wards 80 and 110
Ward 80 has approximately 55 candidates contesting the ward councillor position, with outgoing ANC councillor Melody Hlatswayo not returning as the party’s candidate. Johannes Sydney Monaise will represent the ANC in the ward this time around.
Other candidates include Norman Marala of ActionSA, Snawo Daniel Gomba of the ATM, Kabelo Gwamanda of Al Jama-ah, Kolobe Rufus Seopa of the DA, Matome William Raholane of the EFF, Thuso Wandile Khumalo of the ERM, Shaida Nadine Sutton of the PA, Paki Marcus Setloboko of Rise Mzansi and Khathutshelo Bernard Mamaema of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party).
Ward 110, previously represented by the ANC, has approximately 56 candidates contesting the position. Outgoing ANC councillor Angie Mphaho will not return as the party’s ward candidate, with Monica Fortunate van Rooyen representing the party in this year’s elections.
The ward’s candidates include Jabu Mabunda of Action SA, Sandiso Bhuda of the ATM, Simon Gxuma of the Congress of the People (COPE), Rulani Mkhwanazi of the DA, Oatlhotse Godfrey Moshweu of the EFF, Sizakele Lovejoy Mkhize of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Thapelo Kunene of the PA, Lukhona Mnguni of Rise Mzansi, Lauraine Nkambule of the MK Party, Nubijara Tloubatla of the Freedom Front Plus and independent candidate Thapelo Promise Nkoane.
Nkoane described the political atmosphere in the ward as positive ahead of election day. “The political atmosphere around the ward is exciting. There’s co-operation amongst various political parties, and there are no incidents of violence. All contesting parties are optimistic,” he said.
Deppe seeks another term in Ward 132
In Ward 132, current DA councillor Annette Deppe is seeking another term after representing the ward for more than a decade.
About 52 candidates are contesting the ward, making it another area where residents will have several candidates to choose from.
Among those on the ballot are Deppe of the DA, Devraj Naidoo of ActionSA, Gregory Boas of the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), Prudence Patric of the African Independent Congress (AIC), Mukondeleli Veronica Tshikalange of the ANC, Mafutane Christo Chauke of the ATM, Sibusiso Dubazana of Al Jama-ah, Nhlanhla Lucky Mathabela of Build One South Africa (BOSA), Phenyo Rahman Milanzi of the EFF, Mndeni Mthethwa of the ERM, Marsha Mackay of the PA, Matseke Khomotso Komane of Rise Mzansi and Victor Hlanganani Buthelezi of the MK Party.
Reflecting on the mood in the ward ahead of the elections, Deppe said residents were experiencing a mixture of anticipation, frustration and hope for change. “The atmosphere in Ward 132 ahead of the local government elections is one of anticipation, frustration, but also hope for change,” she said.
Deppe said residents were increasingly frustrated by the deterioration of basic municipal services, including water shortages, electricity interruptions, poor road maintenance, and refuse collection challenges. “However, what I am experiencing on the ground is that residents are increasingly aware of the importance of this election. There is a strong desire to see Johannesburg restored to a functional, accountable and well-managed city,” she said.
She emphasised that local government elections were particularly important because municipalities were responsible for services that directly affected residents’ daily lives. “I cannot emphasise enough how important this election is. Local government is the sphere of government closest to the people. It is responsible for the basic services that affect our daily lives, including water, electricity, roads, sanitation and refuse removal,” she said.
Deppe urged residents not to allow frustration with service delivery to discourage them from voting. “Use your vote to demand better governance and accountability.”
She added that every vote would contribute to determining the political leadership of Johannesburg for the next five years.
EFF candidate Milanzi said he had already cast his special vote and would spend election day on the ground. As voting gets underway, residents are encouraged to participate in the elections and familiarise themselves with the candidates contesting their respective wards. “I will be at the voting station I’m registered to vote at, Halfway House Primary School.”
Voters can confirm their registered voting stations through the Electoral Commission of South Africa’s (IEC) website, www.elections.org.za, or by sending their ID number via SMS to 32810.
Comfort Tsholofelo Makhanya is a dedicated journalist who began his community news career in 2020, starting with Rekord Noweto and subsequently writing for Alex New, Rosebank Killarney Gazette, and currently, Midrand Reporter.
