Political parties react to announcement of 2026 LGE date

A police officer seen outside a voting station

The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it is ready for the 2026 local government elections, which are scheduled for the 4th of November this year.

The announcement after the local government election (LGE) date was announced earlier Thursday by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

DA spokesperson Jan de Villiers says the party’s machinery is ready for the elections.

“The DA is ready for the elections. Operationally, our messaging, our candidates, our voting interactions, everything is in place. We already have dozens of mayoral candidates confirmed and no other party can say that. We’ve just come out of a very successful congress with new and young leadership. We have fresh energy; we are ready to fight, and last night we won a by-election in George. The DA is ready; let’s go.”

The ANC’s national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, has welcomed the announcement of the date.

“The African National Congress welcomes the announcement by the President of the election date for local government elections. We believe that this is a reasonable date that allows for maximum participation. We must encourage all South Africans, especially first-time voters, to register. And we look forward to a campaign that is devoid of violence but also where there is going to be freedom of movement and freedom of political activity.”

WATCH | ANC National Spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu says the party welcomes the announcement of the 4 November for local government elections, calling it a reasonable date that allows for maximum participation. pic.twitter.com/BENsFyRGj7

— SABC News (@SABCNews) April 30, 2026

Rise Mzansi has also welcomed the date announcement.

Rise Mzansi MP Makashule Gana says the party will announce a mayoral candidate for Johannesburg by the end of May and has urged voters to register to vote and check their registration status, especially if voters have changed addresses.

“We see this as a critical opportunity to reset the state of local governance in municipalities. We all know that municipalities and local government are the engine rooms of South Africa. When the municipalities are working, South Africa is working because every house, every business is in a municipality.”

WATCH | RISE Mzansi says it welcomes the announcement of 4 November for the local government elections, and views it as a critical opportunity to reset governance in municipalities. pic.twitter.com/xutnl8ngjf

— SABC News (@SABCNews) April 30, 2026