Polls close and the counting of votes has begun

The Western Cape electoral officer, Michael Hendrickse told reporters that there were more people who voted in this year’s local government elections compared the previous poll in 2021. By 18h00, over 1.5 million people had voted. “Its clear that the number of voters is going upwards and will surpass the number of voters in the local government elections in 2021. But, there were fewer registered people in 2021 compared to this year. So, I’m not comparing the turnout as a proportion but looking at the numbers of people who voted,” he said.

Hendrickse said that there were still people waiting to vote at around 21h45 as they were in the queue by 21h00.

In Cape Town

Elitsha reported earlier that voters in Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain said that youth unemployment and lack of basic services are some of the issues that the next council should prioritise. Zine Malusi from ward 89 in Khayelitsha pleaded with political parties to work together to improve the lives of the poor even if they end up in coalition governments.

Her views were echoed by Fiona Jacobs from Portlands who said there was a need for the media to play an educational role in the elections to make sure that voters are clear who to vote for.

In Johannesburg

In Alexandra, unemployment and poor municipal services featured prominently in the concerns of young voters.

Bonang Makola, a first-time voter, said unemployment and the deteriorating state of Johannesburg influenced her decision at the ballot box. She had followed interviews in which political parties outlined their plans to reduce unemployment over the next five years, and their proposals helped shape her choice.

“As a young person, unemployment is one of the biggest issues. Some parties said they would reduce it by 0%, while others said they would reduce it by 2% every year. That influenced my decision on which party to vote for,” she said.

Makola said residents in her community continue to experience electricity problems, water interruptions and poor refuse collection. The accumulation of rubbish in Alexandra, she added, had become a serious health concern.

Thato Couch, a resident of Tsutsumani in Alexandra and a first-time voter, believes that the growing dissatisfaction with political parties has contributed to voter apathy. She said some residents no longer saw the point of voting because they felt that elections had brought little improvement to their circumstances. “People choose not to vote because they think it’s useless. There’s no change, no progress and nothing is actually moving. We just keep voting for the same thing,” she said.

Meanwhile, Rene, a Sandton resident, said Johannesburg’s deteriorating infrastructure requires urgent intervention, regardless of whether the next administration was formed by a single party or a coalition. She supports coalition governments provided political parties cooperate and share a commitment to fighting corruption and improving service delivery. “Johannesburg is falling apart. There has to be a party, whether it’s a coalition or a single party, that fixes this wonderful city because it’s broken through neglect,” she said.

Rene argued that political disagreements and leadership disputes should never take precedence over residents’ basic needs. “We’re the people. We pay our taxes and rates, yet our streets are full of potholes, we have no water, no electricity and the garbage isn’t being collected,” she said.

She also highlighted the dangers posed by poorly maintained roads, particularly for elderly motorists navigating streets without adequate lighting and road markings.

Across the interviews, voters expressed different perspectives on political parties and coalition government but shared a common expectation: those elected must demonstrate accountability and deliver tangible improvements. For Johannesburg residents, the real test of the elections will not simply be who wins political power, but whether that power translates into jobs, functioning infrastructure and reliable basic services.

In KuGompo City

Mdantsane residents, in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, said that youth unemployment and service delivery should be one of the key things that the next council should focus on.

According to Nosiseko Adonisi (79) who voted at Zanokukhunya Primary in Ward 20, the next local government should prioritise young people in terms of job creation and skills development. “There must be job creation for young people, and the government must assist them to get skills. We want a total change. Our lives must not be the same,” Adonisi said.

“Our roads are full of potholes, forcing cars to dodge. We also want officials to assist us properly when we visit government offices,” she added.

Ayanda Maphongolo said the first problem the new government must attend to is the roads. “We always must fix tires. It is no longer potholes, but we call them graveyards. Whoever is gonna come must make us happy as citizens. The new government must be able to fix all the problems we encounter at BCM.

“I don’t know why I have voted because there is no benefit from voting. There is no change and there won’t be change no matter who wins because they give jobs to themselves. Not all of us are able to be ANC volunteers I get employed. Look now I am busy selling chicken feet on the road and I don’t have time to volunteer.  We have nothing, no houses and no jobs but I have just voted for the sake of voting,” said Thotyelwa Halutyana.

Neliswa Nomji, a pensioner who stays in Cuba informal settlement, which is part of ward 14, felt that political parties need to meet with people first to decide which parties to go into coalition with. “Political parties must meet with the people first. They cannot just choose who to form coalition with on their own. They must meet with the people”,Nomji said.