Some KwaDukuza residents may find themselves voting in a different ward or at a different voting station when they head to the polls next Wednesday.

Changes to municipal ward boundaries have affected several communities, including Glendale, Umhlali and parts of Shakaskraal, making it important for voters to check their voting details ahead of the November 4 local government elections.

The changes follow a 2024 Municipal Demarcation Board decision to transfer territory from Ndwedwe to KwaDukuza. Further ward adjustments were proposed in 2025 to accommodate the expanded municipal area and balance voter numbers across KwaDukuza’s 30 wards.

Ward boundaries are periodically redrawn to account for changes in voter numbers and ensure a more even distribution of registered voters. The process also considers community boundaries and access to voting stations.

One of the affected areas is Glendale, previously part of Ndwedwe’s Ward 1, which has been incorporated into KwaDukuza’s Ward 27 (Madundube). Ward 27 now has 5 640 registered voters across seven voting stations: Parukabad Primary School, Glendale Sportsfield, Glenmil Baptist Church, Ensiken Primary School, Ashville State Aided School, Prospect Farm Primary School and Kearsney Combined School.

Another affected area is Ward 28, which formerly covered Shakaskraal alone, but now includes Umhlali town and voters from Lalela Estate, Springvale Country Estate and Karibu Farm. Democratic Alliance Ward 28 candidate Ayabonga Zwane estimates that these boundary changes have brought about 1 000 voters into the ward, which now has 3 775 registered voters. Voting stations in Ward 28 include Happy Kids Crèche in Umhlali, Shakaskraal SA Primary School and Mellowood Community Hall.

Meanwhile, Ward 3 (Zinkwazi and Nonoti) has the highest number of voting stations in KwaDukuza, with nine stations serving 5 266 registered voters.

Ward 22, which includes Salt Rock, has the highest number of registered voters at 8 790. Voting will take place at Salt Rock Country Club and Salt Rock City Open Space.

KwaDukuza has 167 860 registered voters, the most in the iLembe District. A total of 19 political parties and one independent candidate are contesting the election for seats on the 59-seat municipal council, comprising 30 ward and 29 proportional representation seats.

Voting stations will open at 7am and close at 9pm, with vote counting taking place at each station after voting ends.

Other areas may also have been affected by ward boundary changes and voters are urged to check their registration details with the IEC to confirm their ward and voting station.

How to check your voting station
Online: Visit www.elections.org.za and use the IEC’s voter registration details tool. Enter your South African ID number to check your registered voting station.

SMS: Send your 13-digit ID number to 32810 (SMS charged at R1).

In person: Visit the IEC’s KwaDukuza office inside the KwaDukuza Municipality Building, 14 Chief Albert Luthuli Road, KwaDukuza.