By: Bright Ntuli
Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa says preparations for the upcoming local government elections, scheduled for November, are firmly on track.
Hlabisa made the remarks while presenting the Department of Cooperative Governance’s Budget Vote to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) yesterday.
He said significant progress has been made in preparations for the elections, with 4,488 wards now finalised across the country. This represents an increase of 20 wards from the 4,468 wards that were contested during the 2021 local government elections.
According to Hlabisa, the ward system remains a critical component of South Africa’s local government framework, providing the most direct link between communities and their elected representatives.
He emphasised the importance of ensuring that local government structures remain responsive to the needs of residents and are able to facilitate meaningful public participation in decision-making processes.
The minister said the finalisation of ward boundaries forms part of broader preparations aimed at ensuring that the elections are conducted efficiently and in accordance with all legislative requirements.
Hlabisa added that government continues to work closely with relevant stakeholders, including the electoral authorities, to ensure that municipalities are adequately prepared for the polls and that communities are able to exercise their democratic right to vote.
