Parts of the Emalahleni Local Municipality will vote in newly created wards for the first time during the 2026 local government elections, following an official boundary redrafting by the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB).

The MDB has formally established Ward 35 and Ward 36, a decision that alters the voting districts for hundreds of residents across Siyanqoba, Empumelelweni, and areas surrounding Pine Ridge.

Where residents in Ward 35 and Ward 36 will vote

According to the MDB, residents falling within the new Ward 35, which includes parts of areas surrounding Pine Ridge and Siyanqoba, will now vote at designated stations, including:
House of Miracle Center
Gateway Church
Word of Life Church
Divine Early Learning Center
Klarinet Multi-Purpose Center
Pine Ridge Combined School
Teador Cafe

Meanwhile, residents aligned with Ward 36, which includes Empumelelweni, will be designated to cast their ballots at:
Dunbar Primary School
Nonhle Day Care Centre
Blackhill Schoongezicht Primary School

MDB provincial co-ordinator and official spokesperson Hester Marais said that digital and manual resources are available to help the public navigate these adjustments.

“Residents should use the Know Your Wards application and enter their physical address. If they know their area, they can also navigate through the map to identify the ward in which they fall,” Marais said.

She added that the MDB is providing direct assistance to individuals who submit their physical addresses to the board for verification.

Marais added that the new wards will elect their own ward councillors for the first time during the 2026 local government elections on November 4.

Until then, councillors elected during the 2021 local government elections will remain responsible for service delivery and community representation until the new councillors are elected.

Read more here: Municipal Elections bring about change in seats

Know Your Hood – Do You Know Who Represents Your Ward?
Your ward councillor is responsible for: roads and infrastructure, water and electricity, parks and public spaces, reporting community issues to the municipality.

Find your ward at: https://t.co/wCHBhzg5ST pic.twitter.com/2ujJRZdi9r

— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) June 9, 2026

Voter registration weekend

With the National Voter Registration Weekend taking place on June 20 and 21, the Electoral Commission is urging residents to use the opportunity to verify their registration details and ensure they are registered in the correct ward.

IEC Mpumalanga spokesperson Thanduxolo Chembeni, said, “We are encouraging residents to visit the stations and check that all their details are correct. People who have moved, changed addresses, or are affected by the new ward boundaries should make sure they are registered in the correct ward before election day.”

He also encouraged young people to participate in the process and help others in their communities.

“We encourage young people to register to vote online. We also encourage them to help parents, grandparents and neighbours check their registration details so that everyone is ready when the elections take place,” he said.

When registering to vote, residents must be South African citizens with a valid green barcoded ID, smart ID card, or valid temporary ID document. They must be at least 16 years old to register, although voting is only allowed from the age of 18.

The IEC is bringing voter registration closer to communities. Whether you're a 16-year-old registering for the first time and preparing for your first vote at 18.
Register online 24/7: https://t.co/h6uXA9sPgv
National Voter Registration Weekend: 20–21 June 2026. pic.twitter.com/R5zmCMd67i

— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) June 8, 2026

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