South Africa to hold local elections on Nov. 1

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG (AA) - South Africa will hold local government elections on Nov. 1, marking the 21st anniversary since the establishment of a democratic local government system in the country, the minister of co-operative governance announced Wednesday.

“After consultation with the Electoral Commission, we have come to the determination that this year’s local government elections will be held on the 1st of November in accordance with the constitution and Municipal Structures Act,” Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said at a briefing.

Dlamini-Zuma said the act requires that elections be held 90 days after the end of a five-year term of office.

She said South Africans will register to vote on the weekend of Sept. 18-19.

The minister said the local government sphere remains very important in the country.

"This sphere of government remains the hope of our people as the sphere closest to them," she added.

Dlamini-Zuma also urged South Africans to continue to exercise caution, as this year’s elections will be held under the unusual conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

She said political parties will be allowed to campaign door to door, as long as they observe COVID-19 health regulations.

“Even when they have meetings, there may be numbers that are allowed indoors and outdoors, wearing of masks and social distancing, etc. They may campaign and go door to door, but they have to keep to the protocols.”