Johannesburg:Deputy President Paul Mashatile has called on councillors elected in the 2026 Local Government Elections to prioritize the needs and concerns of their communities over personal interests. He emphasized the importance of addressing challenges such as water shortages, poor roads, and job opportunities for young people.

According to South African Government News Agency, Mashatile made these remarks while speaking to the media after casting his vote at the St. Johannes Lutheran Church in Sandton, Johannesburg. He urged the incoming councillors to focus on job creation and improving service delivery for everyone.

South Africans headed to the polls on Wednesday to elect representatives to municipal councils. These elections will determine who represents wards and municipalities and assumes responsibility for delivering essential services. Elected councillors will be tasked with improving communities, delivering services, passing bylaws, and overseeing their implementation.

Mashatile also encouraged voters not to lose hope in the democratic process and to exercise their right to vote. He highlighted that voting is a right fought for and that abstaining allows others to make decisions on their behalf. Despite the challenges, he noted the wide range of candidates available to voters and urged those who have not yet voted to come forward and participate in the election.

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) recorded an unprecedented 29.2 million registered voters for the elections. Nationwide, 23,696 voting stations opened at 7 am and were scheduled to close at 9 pm. However, voters within the boundaries of voting stations at closing time would still be assisted. President Cyril Ramaphosa declared Election Day a public holiday to enable citizens to fulfill their civic duty.