By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared Wednesday, the 4th of November, the date for the Local Government Elections (LGE) as a public holiday.
The elections had to happen between 2 November 2026 and 31 January 2027.
They are expected to entrench coalition politics in many of the country’s metros, where the ANC continues to struggle, with Gauteng’s three metros, and particularly Johannesburg, emerging as key battlegrounds.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa has, in terms of Section 2A of the Public Holidays Act of 1994, declared Wednesday, 4 November 2026 – the date for Local Government Elections – as a public holiday throughout the country,” the Presidency said on Tuesday night.
The President has called on all registered voters to use the opportunity of the public holiday to exercise their democratic right and civic duty by voting in this election that empowers citizens to elect local public representatives and influence service delivery where they live.
“Voters are reminded as well that they will only be able to cast their votes at the polling stations in wards where they are registered. In the event that voters may consider travel, they will not be able to transfer their votes to voting stations away from their designated wards,” said the Presidency.
The President has also urged employers to make provision for employees to exercise their Constitutional right to vote.
Meanwhile Deputy President Paul Mashatile gave public assurances on Tuesday that he is recovering well following a recent undisclosed minor medical procedure.
Following the advice of his medical team, the Deputy President will continue to rest until he is cleared to return to office full-time.
In the interim, Mashatile assured the public that all his official duties and delegated responsibilities are being managed by his team, alongside key stakeholders in government, business and other sectors.
Mashatile expressed his “deep appreciation” to his family, government colleagues, and the public for their support during his recovery period.
Elsewhere Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina has apologised for her vulgar outburst during a community engagement in Kouga, Eastern Cape.
Majodina issued the apology on Tuesday, days after a video of the confrontation at the Loerie Sewer Pump Station launch on September 9 went viral and drew criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups.
In her statement, Majodina acknowledged that her response was inappropriate.
“In the heat of moment, I reacted after being subjected to profane language. I take full responsibility for my conduct and deeply regret responding by using the same words directed at me,” she said.
“I sincerely apologise to the people of Kouga and to all South Africans,” Majodina added.
The have been calls for Ramaphosa to remove Majodina’s from office, saying her conduct was inconsistent with the standards expected of a Cabinet minister.