Voters answer the call to shape local government

Scores of South Africans headed to the polls for the 2026 Local Government Elections on Wednesday. In townships, suburbs, and rural wards alike, the atmosphere was charged with a mix of fervent civic duty and deep-seated frustration over service delivery, water security, and economic opportunity. Young and old arrived on foot, bicycle, motorbike and by car to cast their votes.

**A resident of Ga-Mothiba near Polokwane arrives to cast her vote at the Ngwanamaago Primary School on Wednesday 4 November 2026. Photo. Lucas Ledwaba**

The morning was marked by the quiet patience of elderly residents standing in queues to the vibrant, persuasive energy of street-corner campaigning by party agents and enthusiastic residents rushing to go cast their votes.

**An elderly voter waits outside the Mponegele Lower Primary School in Seshego after casting his vote early that morning. Photo. Lucas Ledwaba**

Mukurukuru Media captured voters arriving to cast their ballots in Ga-Mothiba and EFF leader Julius Malema casting his ballot in Ward 9 of the Polokwane Local Municipality at Mponegele Lower Primary School in Seshego, Limpopo.

IEC staff ensured ballot boxes were well arranged for Wednesday’s polls at the Mponegele Lower Primary Sc

Malema arrived in the company of his security entourage and his son Ratanang. They were joined by EFF mayoral candidate Lawrence Mapoulo and other party leaders.

**IEC staff assist a visually impaired voter at the Mponegele Lower Primary polling station. Photo. Lucas Ledwaba**

Malema cast his ballot alongside his son and later went on a short walkabout to engage with his party’s supporters who were dressed in the party’s trademark red t-shirts.

**An elderly voter who walks with the aid of a rollator prepares to exit the polling station after casting his vote at Mponegele Lower Primary School. Photo. Lucas Ledwaba**

By early evening on Thursday Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) showed the ANC was in the lead nationally with a 31,75%, followed by the DA with 26,33% and MKParty at 7,86% with 49% of the national votes counted. The EFF stood at 5,81% nationally and 10,5% in Limpopo with 28% of the provincial votes counted.

**EFF leader Julius Malema in black t-shirt casts his ballot alongside his son Ratanang in Seshego. Photo. Lucas Ledwaba**

The IEC reported that 15.9 million South Africans participated in the 2026 Local Government Elections. This included special votes.

**EFF eader Julius Malema is assisted by IEC officials before casting his vote at the Mponegele Lower Primary School in Seshego on Wedneday morning. Photo. Lucas Ledwaba**

IEC Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Masego Sheburi said the Commission would only be able to provide a breakdown of voter participation, including the number of young and first-time voters, once the counting process has been concluded.

**An IEC official carries voting material to assist voters at the Mponegele Lower Primary School polling station. Photo. Lucas Ledwaba**

Sheburi said the Commission received over 800 complaints by Wednesday night. These related to voting station staff allegedly preventing party agents from observing the voting and counting processes. He said the majority of the complaints had been resolved, with approximately 106 remaining open.