South Africa votes on 4 November: what the local elections decide
**South Africans vote in local government elections on Wednesday 4 November 2026, with polls open from 07:00 to 21:00 and a special voting day on 2 November. These elections choose municipal councils and mayors, not the national government, which is next contested in 2029.**
The date was confirmed by President Cyril Ramaphosa and gazetted by the Minister. The Electoral Commission launched its campaign in May.
What you are voting for
Local government elections fill municipal councils. They do not change the President, the national Cabinet or Parliament.
Municipalities run the services that generate most day-to-day complaints: water and sanitation, refuse removal, electricity reticulation in many areas, roads, and municipal billing. The council that emerges on 4 November is the body responsible for fixing the burst pipe in your street for the next five years.
Most voters cast two ballots ÔÇö one for a ward councillor who represents a specific geographic area, and one for a party, from which proportional representation seats are allocated. Metropolitan and local municipalities differ in the detail, and district councils are constituted partly by appointment from local councils.
Key dates
- 20ÔÇô21 June 2026 ÔÇö registration weekend (now passed)
- 2 November 2026 ÔÇö special voting day, for voters approved to vote early or at home
- 4 November 2026 ÔÇö election day, 07:00 to 21:00
The national picture behind it
The Government of National Unity formed after the 2024 national election remains intact. Ten parties are in it: the ANC, DA, Inkatha Freedom Party, Patriotic Alliance, GOOD, Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, Freedom Front Plus, United Democratic Movement, Al Jama-ah and Rise Mzansi.
No party has left since United Africans Transformation withdrew days after joining in June 2024. Cabinet changes announced on 1 July 2026 were made in consultation with the DA as a coalition partner.
One change matters for the ballot paper. GOOD and Rise Mzansi merged with BOSA on 5 October 2025 to form Unite for Change, which contests these elections under a single banner. Existing MPs and councillors serve out their terms under their original party names.
Coalitions are the likely outcome
No single party won a national majority in 2024, and the pattern in metropolitan councils since 2016 has been the same. Several of the largest metros have cycled through multiple mayors in a single term as coalition arrangements collapsed and re-formed.
A vote on 4 November is, in most metros, a vote that contributes to a negotiation rather than one that directly appoints a mayor.
When the next national election falls
The Constitution requires national and provincial elections at least every five years. The last was on 29 May 2024, so the next is due by 2029. No date has been announced.
Frequently asked questions
When are the 2026 local government elections?
Wednesday 4 November 2026, with voting from 07:00 to 21:00 and special voting on 2 November.
What do local elections decide?
Municipal councils and, through them, mayors. They do not change the national government.
When is the next South African national election?
Due by 2029. The last national and provincial election was held on 29 May 2024.
