South Africa is preparing for six municipal ward by-elections on November 8th, 2023, across four provinces. 25 candidates from 11 different political parties are competing for seats in their respective wards, making the upcoming elections a critical test for political parties and their candidates. With a diverse range of contenders and different voter turnout percentages in previous elections, South Africa’s political environment is experiencing a dynamic period of growth and transformation. The candidates, their parties, and the voters all have a crucial role in shaping the future of their respective municipalities and the country as a whole.
What are the upcoming municipal ward by-elections in South Africa?
On November 8th, 2023, six municipal ward by-elections will take place across four provinces in South Africa. These by-elections feature 25 candidates from 11 different political parties, competing for seats in their respective wards. The upcoming by-elections serve as a critical test for the participating political parties and their candidates, further underscoring the diversity of South Africa’s political environment.
A Snapshot of the 2023 By-elections
On November 8th, 2023, South Africa will witness six municipal ward by-elections taking place across four provinces – Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and Western Cape. These by-elections feature 25 candidates from 11 different political parties, all competing for seats in their respective wards.
Gauteng: Tshwane’s Contested Wards
In the City of Tshwane Municipality, two wards are open for election. Ward 47 has four candidates competing for the seat: Alfonzo Deveaux Jacobs from the African National Congress (ANC), Anna Alida Erasmus from the Democratic Alliance (DA), Eon de Koker from the Republican Conference of Tshwane (RC), and Margaux Overbeek from The Organic Humanity Movement (OHM). The previous DA councillor’s resignation created this vacancy. During the 2021 Municipal Elections, the voter turnout for Ward 47 was 62.92%.
The death of the former DA councillor resulted in a vacancy in Ward 64, which is now being contested by six candidates: Henriette Louise Fröhlich from ActionSA, Thabang Moshidi from the African Christian Democracy Party (ACDP), Makanyane Passier Mothupi from the ANC, Issabel Alta De Kock from the DA, Sabrina Maharaj from the Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF), and Alexander Johannes Koekemoer from the RC. In the 2021 Municipal Elections, this ward had a 58.32% voter turnout.
Limpopo: Ephraim Mogale’s By-election
In Limpopo’s Ephraim Mogale Municipality, Ward 01 has three candidates vying for the seat: Solly Solomon Rabalago from the ANC, Mmakoloi Constance Makola from the Bolsheviks Party of South Africa, and Lazarus Ramokgano Legoathi from the EFF. The by-election follows the death of the former ANC councillor. The 2021 Municipal Elections recorded a 43.21% voter turnout for this ward.
Mpumalanga: Msukaligwa and Govan Mbeki’s Contests
In Mpumalanga, two wards are experiencing by-elections. Ward 09 of the Msukaligwa Municipality sees Khandizwe Johannes Makhubu from the ANC and Thulisile Nkosi from the EFF competing for the seat.
Ward 21 in the Govan Mbeki Municipality has three candidates running for office: Mary-Jane Sibongile Zwane from the ANC, Fiona Hope Niekerk Pelman from the DA, and John Nqabusile Ndeni from the EFF. The resignation of the previous DA councillor prompted this ward’s by-election. In the 2021 Municipal Elections, the voter turnout for this ward was 50.74%.
Western Cape: Swartland’s Crowded Field
Ward 07 of the Swartland Municipality in the Western Cape has the most candidates contesting, with a total of seven. The candidates are Lesley Danovan Esau from the ACDP, Thembalethu Given Nongogo from the ANC, Allan Mark Williams from the DA, Miriam Hugo from the EFF, Rodney Waren Esau from the Patriotic Alliance (PA), Marlon Lindsay Truter from the United Independent Movement, and Amber Maria Booysen from the Vryheidsfront Plus. The by-election was called due to the resignation of the former DA councillor, and during the 2021 Municipal Elections, the ward had a 49.05% voter turnout.
Implications for South Africa’s Political Landscape
The upcoming by-elections serve as a critical test for the participating political parties and their candidates. With a diverse array of contenders and a variety of circumstances leading to these by-elections, it is clear that South Africa’s political scene is experiencing a dynamic period of growth and transformation. The multiple parties involved and the different voter turnout percentages in previous elections further underscore the diversity of South Africa’s political environment.
As the by-elections draw near, both well-established parties and newcomers must present their case to the electorate, emphasizing their plans and vision for the future of these wards. The electoral process is a vital part of any democracy, and South Africa’s upcoming municipal by-elections are no exception. The candidates, their parties, and the voters all have a crucial role in shaping the future of their respective municipalities and the country as a whole.
1. What are the upcoming municipal ward by-elections in South Africa?
On November 8th, 2023, six municipal ward by-elections will take place across four provinces in South Africa. These by-elections feature 25 candidates from 11 different political parties, competing for seats in their respective wards.
2. What provinces will be hosting the by-elections in South Africa?
The by-elections will be held in provinces of Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and Western Cape.
3. How many candidates are participating in the by-elections?
There are a total of 25 candidates from 11 different political parties participating in the upcoming municipal ward by-elections in South Africa.
4. Which ward in the City of Tshwane Municipality is experiencing a by-election?
Ward 47 and Ward 64 in the City of Tshwane Municipality are experiencing by-elections.
5. How many candidates are competing for the seat in Ward 64?
There are six candidates competing for the seat in Ward 64, which is now being contested after the resignation of the former DA councillor.
6. What is the voter turnout for Ward 09 in Msukaligwa Municipality during the 2021 Municipal Elections?
In the 2021 Municipal Elections, Ward 09 in the Msukaligwa Municipality had a voter turnout of an unknown percentage.
7. Which ward in Western Cape has the most candidates contesting?
Ward 07 of the Swartland Municipality in the Western Cape has the most candidates contesting, with a total of seven.
8. What implications do the by-elections have on South Africa’s political landscape?
The by-elections serve as a critical test for participating political parties and their candidates and highlight the growth and transformation of South Africa’s political environment. As the by-elections draw near, parties and newcomers must present their case to the electorate, emphasizing their plans and vision for the future of these wards. The candidates, their parties, and the voters all have a crucial role in shaping the future of their respective municipalities and the country as a whole.
