[Live] Elections: Mpumalanga voters share their hopes for the country and why they cast their ballots
Mpumalanga residents were up early and out in numbers to cast their votes, with long queues reported at several voting stations as the community headed to the polls.
Election Day has arrived and this Caxton Network News blog will provide live updates of events in Mpumalanga.
Look out for reports, videos and snippets from the ground that are worth knowing if you are getting your thumb inked in the province.
Update at 16:10
Mpumalanga residents share their hopes for the country, what they would like to see change and why they believe it is important to make their voices heard at the polls.
Published 15:15
Voting got off to a steady start at three polling stations visited by Highvelder in Ermelo this morning, with queues moving at different paces but the process generally flowing well, reports Highvelder.
Queues move quickly at Laerskool JJ van der Merwe
At Laerskool JJ van der Merwe, a good turnout was observed during the opening hours, although queues were moving quickly, with very little waiting time for voters.
Amor van der Walt, current PR councillor for the DA, said the arrangement of split voting stations operating in separate classrooms at the school had made a significant difference in keeping the process moving.
She said she expects people to turn out early, as many residents might want to cast their votes before enjoying the public holiday without having to return to the polls later.
One voter, after casting their ballot, summed up the occasion with a smile: “Nou’s dit gedoen, nou is dit tyd vir braai.”
Photo: Wayne van der Walt
Stephen Crompton of the ACDP said the party was hoping to see change in this election, adding that residents were looking for change at local government level.
ANC members manning their party’s area at the school also indicated that the queues were flowing well. They in turn said they are expecting more voters to make their way to the station during the afternoon.
Voters who spoke to Highvelder at the school described the process as quick and hassle-free.
Longer queues reported at Msukaligwa Fire Station
At the Msukaligwa Fire Station voting station, queues were slightly longer compared with those observed at Laerskool JJ van der Merwe. However, the ACDP PR candidate, Christiaan Uys, indicated that despite the queue, the voting process was moving steadily and voters were being assisted.
Special-vote concerns raised at Ward 7
At the Msukaligwa Municipality Ward 7 voting station, representatives of the DA, Freedom Front Plus, ACDP and ANC were present to welcome voters and assist those experiencing difficulties of were unsure of the process.
DA councillor JJ Scholtz told Highvelder that the party had received reports of several problems involving voters who had applied for special votes but were apparently unable to cast their ballots as expected.
He said the matter would be taken up with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).
Shobie Arnoldi, PR councillor for the Freedom Front Plus, also raised concerns about issues relating to special votes and voters who had apparently received confirmation messages that they were registered to vote, but were not able to when they arrived at the voting stations.
At the time of Highvelder’s visit, Arnoldi was also assisting elderly residents from SAVF Huis Ermelo who had been brought to the station to exercise their right to vote.
Elize Johnstone, ACDP ward candidate, said the party was pleased with the turnout thus far, describing the morning’s activity as a steady flow of voters.
She said they anticipated that some parents might take advantage of the public holiday to sleep in before making their way to the polls later in the morning or during the afternoon.
Asked what she expected from the election, Johnstone said she believed residents were desperate for change and hoped this would also be reflected in the election results.
With voting continuing until 21:00, political representatives at the stations visited by Highvelder were anticipating a busier afternoon as more residents take the opportunity to cast their ballots.
Published 14:20
Voting across eMalahleni is progressing peacefully, with police deployed at voting stations across the city to ensure voters can cast their ballots safely.
According to Witbank police spokesperson Warrant Officer David Ratau, operations are going according to plan.
“Everything is progressing very well. Police are everywhere. There are police placed in different stations, and we’re also patrolling to make sure everything runs smoothly,” said Ratau.
He said no fights have been reported at voting stations so far, and no arrests have been made.
“People can feel free to go and vote, it is very safe and peaceful so far, but we’re anticipating that large numbers of people will come after hours,” he said.
Model Park vehicle break-in
However, despite the calm, Ratau confirmed one incident near a voting station on Montagu Street in Model Park. He said a car parked next to the station was forced open and a handbag containing items such as house keys, bank cards and an ID card was stolen. The front left light was also tampered with in an attempt to remove it.
Ratau urged voters to ensure that their cars are properly locked, with no valuable items left visible on seats.
Police anticipate larger turnouts later in the evening as residents return from work, and officers will remain on the ground to maintain order.
Published at 14:00
Voting across the Lowveld got off to a slow start today, (November 4), with minor glitches and delivery delays affecting several stations, reports Lowvelder.
In some areas, voting was held up because special-vote ballot papers had not yet arrived. However, these initial challenges were resolved, allowing the process to continue.
According to IEC spokesperson in Mpumalanga, Thanduxolo Chembeni, the delays were partly caused by ballot papers being transported by different escort teams.
“Besides that, most of the stations were open by 07:00, and the queues were moving smoothly. We have not received any major challenges at this stage. We encourage everyone who is registered to vote not to wait until the last minute but to cast their ballots while they still have time,” he said.
Mbombela stations manage steady voter flow
In Mbombela, several voting stations opened on time, although some experienced long queues and initial frustrations, particularly where separate queues were not clearly managed.
At West End voting station, a long queue formed, but voters were urged to remain patient as the process continued to move steadily.
At Laerskool Laeveld, the queue had already stretched about 750m by 06:45. Despite the large turnout, voters waited patiently, with smiles and laughter among those in the queue. Voting proceeded smoothly, with no major hiccups reported. IEC officials and party agents also helped maintain an orderly process.
The situation was different at the LVCC voting station in Steiltes, where some voters experienced frustration over long queues and delays.
An IEC official on the ground told Lowvelder that the queues were affected by the separate arrangements for pensioners, with elderly voters being allowed to move to the front to cast their ballots.
At John Mdluli voting station in Matsafeni, short queues formed, with voters continuing to arrive throughout the morning.
Nelsville Community Hall also reported short queues, with voters describing the process as smooth.
At Laerskool Nelspruit, voters said they were impressed by the speed of the process.
Although queues were relatively long, they said they did not have to wait long to be assisted. Some also welcomed the arrangements allowing elderly voters to cast their ballots without lengthy delays.
Ballot paper delays stall Hazyview voting
In the Hazyview area, voting at Ward 25 was delayed by almost two hours after party agents demanded that special-vote ballot papers be available at the station.
Voting could not proceed until the ballot papers arrived at about 09:00, after which voters were allowed to cast their ballots.
In Vakansiedorp, Numbi Park and the Shabalala area, no major challenges were reported, apart from some voters arriving at the wrong voting stations. They were promptly directed to the correct stations by officials.
In White River, voting stations opened at 07:00. Queues formed shortly after opening but moved steadily as voters arrived throughout the morning. Officials also encountered instances of voters reporting to incorrect stations.
Voting proceeded smoothly at Emfuleni Primary School in Marite and the Thulamahashe Civic Centre, with no challenges reported at either station.
First-time voters turn out in KaBokweni
Voting stations in central KaBokweni, including Khutsalani and Vulindlela Secondary School, were operating smoothly after opening in the morning.
There were no queues at either station, although residents continued arriving to cast their ballots. Both stations also recorded first-time voters who were former learners at the schools.
One of them, 19-year-old Bongeka Mabuza, who voted at Vulindlela Secondary School, said she had cast her ballot because she wanted to see positive change in her community.
She highlighted the need for improved water supply and better road infrastructure.
Storm causes power cuts at Lydenburg stations
At Barberton High School, short queues were reported, with voters moving in and out of the station quickly. Other voting stations in the area also opened early, although turnout remained relatively low at some of them.
In Lydenburg, queues were slightly longer, particularly at Ward 12, which is a large voting district.
Some voting stations in the area also experienced electricity outages after a storm overnight, affecting internet connectivity and communication.
Despite the isolated challenges, voting continued across much of the Lowveld, with IEC officials encouraging registered voters to make use of the remaining voting hours.
Published 13:00
Former Mpumalanga premier and veteran ANC leader Dr Mathews Phosa flew from Gauteng to Mpumalanga this morning, (November 4), to cast his vote in White River, highlighting the importance he places on participating in the democratic process, according to a post on Lowvelder’s Facebook page.
Phosa, who played a role in South Africa’s constitutional negotiations and democratic transition, arrived at the voting station accompanied only by his driver, without a police escort or bodyguards. He joined fellow voters in the queue and cast his ballot without requesting preferential treatment.
He said exercising his democratic right was particularly important to him and encouraged South Africans to vote for the political party of their choice.
“Without democracy, our country cannot exist,” he said.
Published at 12:18
Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu cast his vote at Thulamahashe Civic Centre in the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality.
Published 12:14
Voting is well underway at the Phengweni voting station in Mhluzi on the main election day, (November 4), reports Middelburg Observer.
Following the conclusion of special voting yesterday, (November 3), polling officials in the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality reported a smooth and peaceful start to the main voting day after stations opened at 07:00.
Outside the voting stations in Mhluzi, political party representatives gathered as minibuses arrived, bringing elderly residents to cast their ballots. Some of the senior voters used walking sticks to make their way to the stations.
Among those stepping up to the ballot box for the first time was Thapelo Ledwaba from Ward 20 in Vuka.
Despite previously choosing not to vote in elections, Ledwaba said he decided to make his voice heard.
“The reason I want to vote is because I want change in my community, and in South Africa as a whole,” Ledwaba said. “There are so many things that have been going in the opposite direction of how we want them to go. So, if you vote, you are actually voting for change.”
Young voters urged to take part
Ledwaba urged young people not to ignore politics.
He said that government decisions directly shape everyday life, making it important for residents to have a say in who represents them.
“Most young people act like politics don’t matter to them, but politics influence our daily life,” he said. “If we vote, we might have a voice so that our town can change.”
Senior resident Albert Magope, who cast his ballot at Elusibdisweni Primary School, said that the voting process was quick and efficient, taking him only about 10 minutes inside the station.
He added that IEC officials treated him very well throughout.
Voting continues across the country until 21:00.
The community turns up in numbers
Voters in Mpumalanga have turned out in large numbers at several voting stations, with long queues reported at Steiltes LVCC, West End and Laerskool Bergland.
While the queue at Steiltes LVCC is moving extremely slowly, an IEC official confirmed that elderly voters are being allowed to move to the front to cast their ballots.
At West End, despite the large turnout, voting is progressing steadily, while at Laerskool Bergland, where voting began at 07:00, the queue stretches as far as the Jatra parking entrance but is moving consistently. Voters have been urged to remain patient as they wait to cast their votes.
It was an early start for many residents who headed to the polls to make their voices heard and cast their votes.
However, in other areas, there were no queues, with voters arriving one at a time to cast their votes.
The fate of Emalahleni in 219 649 hands
The Local Government Elections (LGE) are underway in the Emalahleni Local Municipality, where 219 649 citizens are registered on the official voters’ roll, reports Witbank News.
Polling stations across eMalahleni opened their doors at 07:00 this morning, (November 4), for the elections.
After home visits and special voting were completed on November 2 and 3, attention now shifts to general voting across all municipal wards. Designated polling districts are operational to accommodate thousands of citizens listed on the official voters’ roll.
Voting stations will remain open until 21:00 tonight to ensure all eligible residents have the opportunity to participate on this declared public holiday.
Mpumalanga matric exams pause for local elections
The Mpumalanga Department of Education has expressed satisfaction with the smooth running of the 2026 National Senior Certificate (Grade 12) examinations across the province, reports Middelburg Observer.
According to the department spokesperson in the province, Gerald Sambo, the examinations are in their third week after commencing full-scale on October 15.
Sambo said that the examinations have proceeded without any major incidents reported so far.
“This is a smooth process thanks to the discipline of our candidates, the dedication of our invigilators and educators and the strong support of parents, school governing bodies and local communities,” Sambo said.
“We thank you and ask that you continue to maintain a calm and supportive environment so our learners can write peacefully and achieve their full potential.”
3-day break for local elections
Sambo said that with the 2026 Local Government Elections taking place tomorrow, November 4, the department confirmed that the matric examinations will pause for three days from today, November 3, to allow citizens to vote.
“Exams will resume on November 6, starting with Home Language Paper 1, First Additional Language Paper 1 and Second Additional Language Paper 1 for isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati and isiNdebele,” he said.
Sambo issued a direct plea to registered Grade 12 candidates to cast their votes early in the day so they have enough time to rest and study for their next exam.
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