JOHANNESBURG - The 2026 Local Government Elections in South Africa are officially scheduled for 4 November.
President Cyril Ramaphosa made the announcement.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister Velinkosini Hlabisa explained that the election date was chosen to avoid clashes with the busy festive season and the January back-to-school period.
According to Hlabisa, 4 November represents the earliest feasible opportunity for the elections.
Ahead of the vote, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) will hold a voter registration weekend on 20 and 21 June 2026, providing an opportunity for citizens to register or update their details.
The decision sets the stage for what is expected to be a highly anticipated election, as municipalities across the country prepare for a fresh round of local governance decisions.
The vote will determine who runs municipalities, including key metros like Johannesburg, where service delivery, infrastructure collapse, and water shortages remain major concerns.
Political parties have already hit the campaign trail.