IFP, One South Africa welcome announcement of election date

The president announced on Wednesday evening that the local government elections will be held on Wednesday, 27 October.

The announcement comes amid concerns over the possibility of holding successful elections amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The IFP was among several opposition parties, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) that have called on the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to postpone the elections.

However, the party’s president Velenkosini Hlabisa says he was pleased with the certainty provided by a firm date.

“The much-anticipated announcement of the date for the LGE brings a sigh of relief to many political parties and independent candidates, as the LGE requires much planning.

“The announcement also means that all political parties are able to finalise their internal procedures, such as candidate selection, manifesto planning and all other political activity, so as to be compliant with the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions and safety protocols.”

“We have been proactive and vocal in expressing our displeasure over the manner in which other parties have tried to use the Covid-19 pandemic to push for one single election in 2024, and we are pleased that this idea did not come to fruition,” said Hlabisa.

Hlabisa says the IFP hopes the government will be able to speed up the vaccination programme before October.

“It is our hope that with final date now set for late October 2021, government will ramp-up their efforts in vaccine distribution and the inoculation of the adult population. Ideally, we would want to have the majority of the country's adults vaccinated by the time elections begin across the country, to ensure herd-immunity and to curb the further spread of Covid-19.”

Meanwhile, ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba says the party is ready to contest the elections.

"ActionSA is focusing on its offer for residents to participate in our internal system of candidate elections.

“ActionSA welcomes this election date, while other parties tried to unconstitutionally postpone these elections because they know South Africans have heard enough of the established political parties.

One South Africa Movement (OSA) leader Mmusi Maimane says they are also ready to contest the elections.

“The truth is that local government in SA has collapsed. Now is the time for communities to use elections to fire bad governments and elect true representatives of the people who are honest, equipped and passionate about delivering basic services to all.

“We desperately need to elect leaders from our own communities who are honest, equipped and passionate about delivering basic services in a financially responsible manner. OSA is at the forefront of ensuring this happens in this year’s elections as we bring about real change.”

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