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Mail & Guardian
local government elections 2021latest news & developments
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Makana citizens score in local government elections

The Makana Citizens Front won more votes than any other opposition party, giving residents a direct voice on the local council

South Africa’s democracy is dead: May it be reborn soon

The current system has failed to serve the poor and entrenched conservatism while suppressing debate

Mail & Gaurdian

Editorial: Political parties in climate denial

South Africa already faces numerous crises including hunger, poverty, unemployment, inequality — all of which are being worsened by the climate crisis.

A number of its tankers were burned or damaged in an attack on the Ugu fresh produce market, close to the town’s centre, during the July riots.

Local government elections: Port Edwards’ residents rely on ‘holy’ water from a church

The Ugu district municipality has, for years, failed to provide a constant source of clean water and parties are pitching their elections campaigns around the crisis

Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen. (Photo by Brenton Geach/Gallo Images via Getty Images)

Khaya Koko: John Steenhuisen, please take a knee

The Democratic Alliance leader rebuking cricketer Quinton de Kock would be this election season’s greatest triumph

Police Minister Bheki Cele. Photo: Supplied

Police identify 300 high risk areas during local government elections

Police minister Bheki Cele said they have identified the KZN, Gauteng, Eastern Cape and Western Cape provinces as high risk areas deploying a high contingent of police and SANDF

Mandla Mahlangu, a resident of the Seven Seven shack settlement in Mamelodi, Pretoria, stands amid the wreckage left behind by flash floods that hit the area a month before. (Ihsaan Haffejee)

Angry residents say voting has become meaningless

As South Africa gears up for the local government elections on 1 November, disgruntled voters in Tshwane and Ekurhuleni say they have little reason to cast their ballots

President Cyril Ramaphosa. (Photo by Michele Spatari/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Popularity will not guarantee mayoral selection — Ramaphosa

ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa has promised a more rigorous mayoral selection process, which will involve the party’s top six

DA leader John Steenhuisen. Photo: (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

DA says ANC’s implosion has thrown local government elections wide open

The DA launched its 37-page manifesto on a virtual platform under the banner “The DA gets things done”.

(Photo: Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Local elections: More than 800 ANC candidate disputes remain unresolved

Candidate court challenges loom for ANC

Whisky weather: The silence about what happened to the bottle of 50-year-old Glenfiddich looted from Makro in July is baffling.

Local government elections: The freaks come out to play

Local government is about cutting the grass and filling potholes, not about the death penalty and prayer in schools

Strict Covid protocols are in place for the exams, with special provision made for those who test positive.

Matric exam timetable changes to accommodate elections

Moving the national senior certificate exams forward also allows matrics who are old enough to cast their ballots on 1 November

The ruling party had problems with submitting its list to the IEC, ANC deputy secretary general Jessie Duarte told a media briefing on Thursday. (Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

ANC heads to electoral court to get the IEC to reopen the local government registration list

The party has blamed the Covid-19 lockdown for not submitting its candidates list to the Electoral Commission of South Africa on time

Armed community members gather around a fire to keep warm at a road block set up in Phoenix Township, North Durban, on July 15, 2021 to prevent looters from reaching the community. (Photo by GUILLEM SARTORIO / AFP)

ANC member accused of instigating July unrest makes it to party’s candidate list

A branch in Johannesburg has raised concern about the inclusion of Mboneni Tabane on the list submitted to the Electoral Commission of South Africa.

Neglected: KwaZulu-Natal ANC branches say national leaders are fighting factional battles with the likes of Supra Mahumapelo (above) and not on their battles. Photo: Felix Dlangamandla/Gallo Images/ Netwerk 24/Beeld

Selecting ANC councillor before addressing interim body a recipe for disaster — KZN branches

Branch leaders in the Lower South Coast region have told the party that the regional task team has outstayed its term

No bite: Former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede (left) has stepped aside but is standing for election. Photo: Darren Stewart/Gallo Images

Gumede accepts step-aside rule — and nominations as ANC chairperson

Corruption-accused ANC members will stand for election at the impending regional conferences

Balancing act: Protocols for voters include bringing your own pen, sanitising and wearing a mask. The Constitution says that local government elections must be held by November. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

Pandemic vote: What will the local government elections look like?

Everything you need to know about South Africa’s options for holding municipal polls — and the dangers we face.