This weekend’s national voter registration drive is a great opportunity to get everything in place for a seamless voting experience during the upcoming Local Government Elections on November 4.

Every voting station across South Africa will be open from 8am-5pm tomorrow (June 20) and Sunday (June 21), with IEC volunteers on hand to guide you through the registration process. That includes more than 23 700 stations countrywide, of which 5 021 are in KwaZulu-Natal and 96 can be found in KwaDukuza.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said it has increased the number of voting stations in a bid to improve accessibility, particularly in remote areas.

A particular push is also being made to engage youth voters this year. According to the IEC, more than 70% of potential first-time voters aged 18 and 19 are not registered countrywide.

What are Local Government Elections?

On November 4, eligible citizens across the country will have the chance to cast two votes at their assigned voting station.

The first vote is for the ward in which you live. The Courier offices at 1 Ballito Drive, for example, fall into Ward 30 in KwaDukuza. On November 4, Ward 30 voters will be presented with a list of candidates who are running for the ward councillor role, either representing a political party or standing as an independent. You can vote for one person.

The second vote is for the municipality in which you live. Using the same example as above, the municipality would be KwaDukuza. On voting day, all eligible KwaDukuza residents will be presented with a list of political parties who are contesting the election. You can vote for one party.

The voter registration process

Any South African citizen aged 16 or older can register, but only those who have turned 18 by November 4 will be allowed to cast a vote on election day. You must have a green bar-coded identity document (ID), a smartcard ID or a temporary ID certificate to register.

If you have registered to vote before, then your information remains in the national database. It is crucial to check your details however, as some ward boundaries have shifted between elections and you may now belong to a different ward or be voting at a different station to what you are used to.

Importantly, you are only allowed to vote in the specific ward where are registered for Local Government Elections, as opposed to some leniency for national elections.

How to register

You can register to vote in a number of different ways.

Firstly, you can attend any of the stations during voter registration weekend as previously outlined. Find your correct voting station by providing your home address here.

You can also register at your local IEC office during working hours between Monday to Friday. Find your closest office by providing your home address here.

Finally, you can register online via the IEC’s portal here.

To check your voter registration status, visit registertovote.elections.org.za or SMS your ID number to 32810.

Where to register

KwaDukuza has 96 voting stations split between its 30 wards.

Ward 1 – Hulett Combined School, Ubuhlebephupho Primary School, Ellen Gumede School, Sokesimbone Hall, Sakhumuzi Primary School, Nonoti School.
Ward 2 – Soweto Clinic, Zamani Community Hall, Darnall Lee Primary.
Ward 3 – Zinkwazi Lagoon Lodge, I’M Institution Church, New Guelderland School, Prospect Farm Hall, Harry Bodasingh School, Bongimfundo School, Nonoti Mouth Hall, Khuthalani School, Nyathikazi Hall.
Ward 4 – RA Padayachee School.
Ward 5 – Mbozamo Hall, Lindelani Hall.
Ward 6 – NG Kerk, Ballito Library.
Ward 7 – Tinley Manor Primary School.
Ward 8 – Nkobongo Hall.
Ward 9 – Garden of Knowledge, Zilungisele Primary School, L Bodasingh School, Hangoes Community Hall, Mgigimbe Hall, Malende Hall.
Ward 10 – Mpeyane Community Hall, Charlottedale Community Hall, BW Vilakazi School.
Ward 11 – Thandanani Community Hall, Thembeni Primary School, Grace Family Church-Blythedale.
Ward 12 – Tinley Manor Beach (TENT), Mbhekhamuzi School.
Ward 13 – Stanger Training Centre, Saints Church Happy Valley, Genesis Church.
Ward 14 – Love the Nations Church, Lloyds Community Hall, United Congregational Church-UCC.
Ward 15 – Nkukhwini Primary School, Chris Hani Hall.
Ward 16 – Stanger Heights Primary School, Ashram Primary School, Stanger Secondary School.
Ward 17 – AFM – Kearsney, Stanger Manor Primary School.
Ward 18 – Shakaville Community Hall, EXT 36 Hall.
Ward 19 – Gledhow Rugby Club, KwaDukuza Town Hall, Gledhow Primary School, Dawnview Primary School.
Ward 20 – Etete Community Hall, Tinley Manor Village (TENT), Entuthukweni Creche-open space (TENT), Radha Roopsingh School.
Ward 21 – Osizweni School, Driefontein Hall, Bhoti Trading Store, Etete School.
Ward 22 – Salt Rock City Open Space (TENT), Salt Rock Country Club.
Ward 23 – Guzana School, Shayamoya Hall.
Ward 24 – Fire Army Church, Ntshawini Hall, Melville Primary School, Chief Albert Luthuli School.
Ward 25 – Ramlakan Primary School, Emdlebeni Hall, Ohlanga Hall, Vulingqondo Hall, Ugunqu Sportsfield (TENT).
Ward 26 – Glenhills Secondary School, Glenhills Shayamoya Hall, Hebron Church.
Ward 27 – Parukabad Primary School, Glenmill Baptist Church, Ashville School, Kearsney Combined School, Glendale Sportsfield (TENT), Prospect Farm Primary School, Ensikeni School.
Ward 28 – Mellowwood Community Hall, Shakaskraal SA Primary School, Happy Kids Creche.
Ward 29 – Groutville Secondary School, Dube Village Community Hall.
Ward 30 – Ballito Lions Club, Compensation Store.