Wednesday is a Voting Public Holiday

Wednesday, 4 November has officially been declared a public holiday for South Africa’s Local Government Elections.

Voting stations will be open from 07:00 to 21:00. You must vote at the station where you are registered and take an original South African smart ID card, green barcoded ID book or valid Temporary Identity Certificate.

A driver’s licence, passport, photocopy or photograph of your ID will not be accepted. This has been confirmed on the IEC website and by additional sources.

Voting stations around Ballito

Voting stations in the Ballito, Salt Rock and Umhlali areas include those below. This is not a definitive list, so check your station’s location on the IEC Voting Station Finder before you go.

Ballito

• Ballito Lions Club
• Ballito Library
• NG Kerk Ballito
• Compensation Trading Store

Salt Rock

• Salt Rock Country Club
• Salt Rock City Open Space

Umhlali and Shakaskraal

• Happy Kids Creche
• RA Padayachee Primary School

Do not simply go to the station closest to you. You can only vote at the station where you are registered.

Check your allocated station on the IEC Voting Station Finder, through the IEC voter information portal or by SMSing your ID number to 32810. Check before Wednesday and be sure you know where you are voting.

You will receive three ballot papers

KwaDukuza voters will make three separate choices:

1. Ward ballot: The candidate you want to represent your ward.
2. KwaDukuza council ballot: A political party for proportional representation on the KwaDukuza Local Council.
3. iLembe district ballot: A political party for proportional representation on the iLembe District Council.

Make one clear mark on each ballot. If you make a mistake before placing a ballot paper in the box, ask an election official for a replacement.

Photographs of completed ballot papers are not permitted, so keep the phone in your pocket inside the voting booth.

A public holiday with a purpose

Wednesday may be a day off work, but that is not why it has been declared a public holiday. It is there to give registered voters the opportunity to participate.

Local politics is the politics closest to home. It influences the roads we drive on, the public spaces we share, development decisions and the municipal services that affect daily life.

Ballito and the greater North Coast are growing quickly. That brings opportunity, but it also places pressure on infrastructure, planning and service delivery. The people elected next Wednesday will help determine how those challenges are handled.

Positive change does not happen through complaints alone. It also requires informed residents choosing leaders who are capable, accountable and prepared to put their communities first.

You do not have to agree with your neighbour. You do not have to support the loudest voice or the biggest poster. But you should understand who is standing, what they represent and whether they have earned your vote.

Then show up.

Wednesday is a holiday. More importantly, it is our opportunity to help shape the future of the place we call home.