South Africans will head to the polls on 4 November. It's time for all political parties to play by the rules.
With the local government elections date having been proclaimed last Friday, the run-up to the polls has begun in earnest. The final countdown has officially begun.
In the 82 days before November 4, those registered to contest the elections – either under the banner of their political parties or as independents – will be going all out to woo registered voters while they ponder who or which party to vote for. It is truly an exciting – some will say tense and frightening – time, but undoubtedly it is a crucial period for the future of our young democracy.
The 2024 general elections, which brought about major tectonic shifts in the country’s politics, were likened to the historic 1994 polls by many commentators and ordinary citizens. By the same token, this year’s local elections could be compared to those of 1996. The gale-force winds of change that shook South Africa at national and provincial levels seem to continue blowing strong. Therefore, South Africa should brace for similarly earth-shattering changes in local governments, especially in the big city councils.
When the stakes are this high in the run-up to these elections, how everyone involved conducts themselves becomes crucially important. It is vital that everyone not only abides by the country's laws and rules but also lives by the spirit and respects the code of conduct for this period.
