Local Government Election Date Announced

Speaking in the National Council of Provinces on 3 March 2011, the Acting President, Deputy President Kgalema Mothlanthe announced that 18 May 2011 will be the local government election date. The forthcoming election will be the fourth occasion on which South African voters can cast their votes in local government elections in accordance with the new democratic dispensation introduced during 1994.

The Deputy President said that the Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs would be taking steps to have the election date promulgated in the Government Gazette as soon as possible. It is probable that 18 May 2011 will be declared a public holiday in accordance with the Public Holidays Act. Chief electoral officer Pansy Tlakula confirmed that the Independent Electoral Commission was ready to conduct the elections in a fair and transparent manner.

Pieter Rautenbach