Residents queue outside a voting station during a voter registration weekend in South Africa ahead of the upcoming Local Government Elections. Photo: Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC)

NNA News - Residents across South Africa visited voting stations on Saturday to register to vote and verify their voter details during the Electoral Commission's (IEC) national voter registration weekend ahead of the Local Government Elections scheduled for November 2026. NNA News visited several voter registration stations across Gauteng, where residents spoke about the challenges facing their communities and their hopes that the upcoming elections could bring meaningful change.

While some residents chose to register in person due to limited access to reliable internet services, others said they wanted to ensure their details were correct so they could help shape the future of their communities.

Many residents highlighted unemployment, poverty, poor service delivery, and a lack of development as some of the most pressing concerns affecting daily life. Sanele Ntuli, a resident of Durban Deep in Roodepoort, said unemployment remains one of the biggest challenges facing local communities. "We've been disadvantaged. People from here do not have permanent work. Development is needed and schools are far from where we live," he said.

Amanda Mkhize said she registered because she wants to see tangible improvements in service delivery and access to basic resources. "I want to register to vote because we have a lack of resources in our communities. I hope my vote can help bring change, especially when it comes to electricity outages and water problems," she said.

Kamoghelo Phagane echoed similar concerns, saying unemployment and poor service delivery continue to affect many residents. "The majority of people are not employed. We also have problems with sanitation and electricity. In some areas, people are still using plastic toilets," he said.

Residents from suburban communities also participated in the registration weekend. Karen Hutchings from Lonehill said voting remains an important tool for holding public representatives accountable. "I want to see change in Johannesburg with the right leadership. If people do not vote, they cannot complain about what is happening," she said.

Residents line up at a voting station to register and verify their voter details during a voter registration drive.
Photo: Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC)

While many residents expressed optimism about the upcoming elections, some community leaders said growing frustration with long-standing socio-economic challenges has led to voter apathy in certain areas. Community leader Collen Moeketsi from Midvaal said many residents have become discouraged after years of voting without seeing significant improvements in their living conditions. "People have lost hope because they have been facing the same challenges for a long time. Some residents say they have been voting for many years but have not seen any real change," he said.

Despite concerns over unemployment, service delivery failures and leadership challenges, many residents said they remain committed to participating in the democratic process. For them, registering to vote represents an opportunity to influence decision-making, hold leaders accountable and contribute to building stronger communities.

The IEC's voter registration weekend continues on Sunday, 21 June, as South Africa prepares for the Local Government Elections later this year.