President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on all eligible South Africans to exercise their democratic right and participate in the upcoming local government elections.
The elections will give voters an opportunity to choose leaders responsible for delivering essential services and addressing the needs of their communities.
With major political parties contesting the country’s largest metropolitan municipalities, the outcome of the elections is expected to shape the composition of councils across the country.
Ramaphosa has emphasised the importance of local government in translating the country’s democratic principles into tangible improvements in people’s lives.
“Local government is where many of the aspirations of our democracy must find practical expression. It is where people experience the parity of public services,” he said.
He added that municipalities play a key role in creating conditions for economic development and maintaining a direct relationship between government and citizens.
“It is where the conditions for economic development are created and it is where the relationship between the citizens and government is most immediate,” Ramaphosa said.
The President encouraged all eligible voters to participate in the elections, while stressing that the decision on which political party or candidate to support rests with each individual.
“I therefore encourage every eligible voter to participate in these elections. And it is not for me to say who you should vote for,” he said.