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Ramaphosa votes in Johannesburg as local elections begin

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President Cyril Ramaphosa voted at Hyde Park High School in Johannesburg on Wednesday and called the turnout historic. Party leaders and mayoral candidates also voted across the country as millions of South Africans went to polling stations.

Ramaphosa voted with First Lady Tshepo Motsepe. He said the turnout showed democracy in action and reflected the aspirations of the Freedom Charter. He urged registered voters who had not yet voted to go out and vote.

The president said government is determined to rebuild local government. He said newly elected councillors, from all parties, would be more committed to serving communities. He also said new councils would be inaugurated in the coming days, opening a new chapter for local government.

Ramaphosa said it was the first time in years that a local government election drew so many parties and so many people who wanted to represent others.

Other leaders also voted, including former president Thabo Mbeki, Deputy President Paul Mashatile and former president Kgalema Motlanthe. DA mayoral candidate Helen Zille, Action SA leader Herman Mashaba and eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba voted too. Kingsol Chabalala, the DA mayoral candidate in Emfuleni, said protecting municipal finances would be a priority, with a cash flow assessment in the first 100 days.

Key facts

Who
Cyril Ramaphosa (President of South Africa); Tshepo Motsepe (First Lady); Thabo Mbeki (Former president); Paul Mashatile (Deputy president)
What
Ramaphosa, who voted with First Lady Dr Tshepo Motsepe at Hyde Park High School in Johannesburg, praised the turnout in the 2026 Local Government Elections, said government is committed to rebuilding local government, and urged registered voters who had not yet voted to go out and vote.
When
4 November 2026
Where
Johannesburg, South Africa, Chatsworth
Status
Reported

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