Municipal By-Elections Bring New Councillors and Changes in South Africa

On June 28, 2023, South Africa held municipal by-elections in four provinces: Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and Western Cape. These elections brought about some changes in the political landscape and introduced new councillors from different political parties. In this article, we explore the election outcomes, the shifts they caused, and briefly introduce the newly-elected councillors.

Election Results

The Democratic Alliance (DA) managed to keep four seats in the by-elections. Similarly, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) held on to three of their seats, but lost one to the African National Congress (ANC). The ANC, on the other hand, held on to one seat and won another, while the Patriotic Alliance (PA) secured a single seat.

Newly-Elected Councillors

Andrew Lesch

In the City of Tshwane Municipality, Gauteng, Andrew Lesch emerged as the new DA councillor for Ward 83. The DA retained its seat with 72.02% of the total votes cast, a slight increase from the 69.34% secured in the 2021 Municipal Elections. Voter turnout for the by-election stood at 22.79%.

Allan Eugene Peterson

Another new DA councillor, Allan Eugene Peterson, emerged victorious in Ward 11 of the EThekwini Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal. The party held onto the seat, increasing its vote share from 40.72% in the 2021 elections to 57.11% in the by-elections. The voter turnout for this by-election was 25.91%.

Elsie Wilhelmiena Vermooten

In the Steve Tshwete Municipality of Mpumalanga, Elsie Wilhelmiena Vermooten won the Ward 14 seat for the DA. She secured a staggering 96.58% of the total votes cast, marking a significant increase from the 79.79% obtained in 2021. The voter turnout for this by-election was recorded at 27.46%.

Jonathan Scott Mills

Jonathan Scott Mills became the new DA councillor for Ward 107 in the City of Cape Town Municipality, Western Cape. The seat was retained by the DA, who garnered 94.07% of the total votes cast, compared to the 82.36% obtained in the 2021 elections. Voter turnout for this by-election was 21.39%.

George Delane Khanyile

The IFP retained three seats, with George Delane Khanyile securing Ward 05 in the iNkosi Langalibalele Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal. The party’s vote share dropped from 70.42% in 2021 to 40.90% in the by-election, which saw a 48.27% voter turnout.

Sandile Buthelezi

Sandile Buthelezi won Ward 21 in the same municipality, increasing the IFP’s vote share from 50.05% in 2021 to 55.72% in the by-election. Voter turnout stood at 64.24%.

Bongani Nicholas Madondo

Bongani Nicholas Madondo retained the Ward 29 seat in the Alfred Duma Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, with a voter turnout of 61.75% and a 1.49% increase in vote share from the 2021 elections.

Saziso S’yabonga Shabalala

The ANC had two successes, with Saziso S’yabonga Shabalala winning the previously IFP-held Ward 14 seat in the iNkosi Langalibalele Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal. The ANC secured 54.89% of the total votes cast, up from the 44.14% in 2021, with a voter turnout of 56.09%.

Muzi Romeo Qedusizi Mhlanga

Muzi Romeo Qedusizi Mhlanga retained the Ward 12 seat in the Mkhondo Municipality, Mpumalanga, for the ANC with a 4.84% increase in vote share and a voter turnout of 37.06%.

Lois Cathleen Simonse

Lastly, Lois Cathleen Simonse emerged as the new PA councillor for Ward 07 in the City of Johannesburg, Gauteng. The party won the seat previously held by the ANC with 46.81% of the total votes cast, up from the 37.55% obtained in 2021. The voter turnout for this by-election was 33.86%.

These by-election results highlight the dynamic nature of South African politics. They show the changing preferences of the electorate and the continuous changes in local governance. The newly-elected councillors have the opportunity to make a difference in their communities, and it will be interesting to see how they shape the future of these municipalities.