MESSAGE OF SUPPORT BY THE PREMIER OF MPUMALANGA, HONOURABLE MANDLA NDLOVU, AT THE DECOMMISSIONING OF THE RESULTS AND OPERATIONS CENTRE AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE LGE RESULTS 07 NOVEMBER 2026 AT ANEW HOTEL AT 11AM
Greetings to the Program Director, Ms Mohlatlole
The PEO, Ms Gugu Langa and your hard-working provincial IEC officials,
All Political leaders present here, representing their political parties.
The SAPS Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant -General Modise and the Provincial Joint Operations and Intelligence structure.
And members of the media
I would like to take this opportunity to commend the governing party for ensuring that the date of these elections was announced openly and in good time, allowing all political parties an equal opportunity to prepare and participate in the electoral process.
This enabled the IEC to make the necessary preparations and conduct the elections independently, without interference or manipulation.
Unlike in some other countries, where governing parties delay announcing election dates until they are fully prepared, leaving opposition parties with limited time to organise and campaign.
South Africa continues to demonstrate its commitment to democratic principles, fairness and the independence of electoral institutions.
Indeed the 2026 Local Government Elections in Mpumalanga were free and fair, and handled in a transparent manner and as usual they are credible.
Once again, the IEC has demonstrated its commitment to ensuring credible elections, upholding the principles of democracy and safeguarding the will of the people.
For that, we thank the IEC’s provincial leadership, officials and everyone who contributed to the successful administration of these elections.
We also wish to thank all political parties for respecting one another, cooperating with the IEC and adhering to the electoral laws throughout the electoral process.
The election campaigns in our province were peaceful, and we are equally encouraged that calm and peace have prevailed here at the Provincial Results Operation Centre.
This demonstrates our collective commitment to democratic principles and respect for the electoral process.
I am happy that there was no single political party that declared themselves a winner before the declaration of the elections, because we regard that as a preparation of disputing results.
In South Africa all our elections were declared to be credible since the first democratic elections, all parties always accepted the outcome of the elections, because we believe in the credibility and independence of the IEC.
The voters responded to the questions which were asked by writers, political analysists and pollsters, after making their own predictions. Who will govern our 258 municipalities, after the 2026 local government elections?
The voters have given us a clear answer, and we must respect that decision. We must now release our people from the period of uncertainty and anticipation they have experienced over the past few days. Life must continue, and the business of government must proceed.
We wish all political parties well, particularly those who may not have secured an outright majority. We trust that they will engage one another constructively and find common ground in constituting stable and functional municipal councils in the interests of our people.
We know that political parties are taking our people serious, and they have deployed ideal public representatives who will not turn the municipal councils into circuses. They will always respect the decorum of the chamber and the people who elected them to serve.
On behalf of the people of Mpumalanga, I would like to congratulate all newly elected councillors. We look forward to the convening of the first council sittings, where the leadership structures of our municipalities will be elected.
Guidelines have been developed to guide the management of coalition governments. We therefore expect stability in our municipal councils.
Our people cannot afford endless political disruptions and instability during the term of office of elected representatives. They expect service delivery, accountability and functioning municipalities.
We thank our government for affording our people an opportunity to elect public representatives of municipal councils at an interval of five years.
To the IEC, thank you for your service to our democracy. Continue to uphold the independence, credibility and integrity of this institution. The people of South Africa depend on you, and we remain confident in your ability to discharge this important constitutional responsibility.
As we bid farewell to this electoral cycle, we say goodbye for now, until we meet again in 2031 for the next Local Government Elections. However, let us not forget that before then, in 2029, we will once again return to the polls for the National and Provincial General Elections.
Start now to prepare, good bye
I thank you