Pretoria:Special voters in Atteridgeville, located west of Pretoria, are urging local residents to participate in the upcoming 2026 Local Government Elections. They emphasize the importance of voting as a means to hold elected leaders accountable and to instigate change within their communities.
According to South African Government News Agency, 39-year-old Kholofelo Magodielo, who cast her special vote at Zodwa Special School, cited work commitments as her reason for opting for special voting. She views the elections as a critical opportunity to express her expectations regarding local leadership and service delivery, emphasizing that voting is an act of calling leaders to respond to community needs.
Magodielo encourages all eligible voters to actively participate, criticizing those who choose to abstain as neglecting their responsibility as citizens. She advocates for voting as a necessary step to ensure one's voice is heard and to drive desired changes within the community.
Similarly, Taki Masindi, who voted at Motheong Primary School, applied for a special vote due to work obligations on Election Day. He underlines the importance of voting as a means to influence decisions affecting the future of communities, rather than merely criticizing leadership.
Masindi expressed a preference for a political party to win an outright majority, avoiding coalition governments which he believes cause internal conflicts that hinder effective governance. He also stressed that voting gives citizens leverage in holding leaders accountable.
The special voting process, which accommodates those unable to vote on Election Day due to physical infirmity, disability, or other commitments, approved 2,655,067 voters. Of these, 678,525 are casting their votes through home visits, and 1,976,542 at registered voting stations. Gauteng recorded the highest number of special voters, followed by Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.