What are local municipal elections?

278 municipalities across the country will be taking part in the upcoming local elections set for November 1.

A total of 26 228 975 people in South Africa have registered to vote in the municipal elections.

The department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) in 2016 published an election guide written by Professor Jaap de Visser and Professor Nico Steytler which provided some of the following explanations to what happens in municipal elections:

In local government elections, the residents vote for their local ward councillor, who can be independent, or a person elected by a political party. The councillor carries the responsibility of assisting residents with municipal-related issues, taking forward the issues of the community and development proposals to the council among many of the responsibilities.

In the elections, PR councillors (proportional representation) are also elected.

Are the ward councillors and PR councillors voted for on different ballot papers?

Residents on average receive about two ballot papers during local municipal elections.

One ballot paper is for the voting of the local ward councillor.

On the second ballot paper, residents vote for a political party that they want to lead in the respective council. On this ballot paper, voters will find the symbols of the political parties contesting in the area.

What services and issues are handled at local government?

• Service delivery
• Rates and tariffs
• Electricity and water services
• Emergency services (ambulances and firefighting department)
• Primary healthcare services (community clinics)
• Sewage and sanitation
• Refuse removal
• Roads infrastructure and storm water
• Public bus services
• Parks and recreational spaces
• Servicing local libraries
• Infrastructure development
• Creating a conducive environment to attract businesses that would provide jobs
• Land use discussions and decisions
• Local police traffic services
• Municipality budget finance management
• Environment health safety

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