KWAZULU-NATAL – As the 2026 Local Government Elections get underway, voters in northern Durban have turned out in significant numbers, driven by a strong desire for change and improved municipal service delivery despite ongoing community frustrations.
For 50-year-old Hlengiwe Ndimande, a resident of Congo in Inanda, the decision to participate was made at the last minute. Having resolved on Tuesday night not to vote due to profound disappointment over the lack of basic services, she changed her mind and arrived at her voting station at 5:40 a.m. to be among the first in line.
Ndimande stated that her change of heart stemmed from the realization that widespread voter apathy is often rooted in anger over service failures. “People are tired; we do not have water and electricity. Today, I told myself I am voting for change,” she explained. After casting her ballot, she expressed a sense of peace, having fulfilled her democratic duty. She also commended the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) officials for ensuring a smooth, hassle-free voting experience that allowed her to return home promptly to attend to household responsibilities.
Similar sentiments were echoed by 58-year-old Zandile Nyuswa, who cast her vote at Hazelmeer near Verulam, north of Durban. Nyuswa acknowledged severe local challenges, including the absence of water and electricity, as well as vehicle damage caused by road potholes. However, she emphasized that abstaining from the democratic process was not a viable option. “If I do not vote, things will stay the same,” Nyuswa noted, highlighting her vote as a necessary step toward eventual improvement.
In Ntuzuma, also north of Durban, 81-year-old Nomusa Nhlengethwa maintained her unbroken voting streak, having participated in every election since South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994. While she acknowledged that water supply challenges persist in her area, Nhlengethwa expressed satisfaction with the overall progress made. She cast her ballot with the specific intention of encouraging elected leaders to build upon existing service delivery gains.
“I have seen a lot of changes in our area, even though we still have some water challenges. I am still happy with service delivery; hence I voted again today for our leaders to be able to continue bringing services to us,” she stated.
The ongoing elections provide eligible citizens with the critical opportunity to select municipal leaders who will be directly responsible for local development and service delivery. As voting continues across the country, the experiences of these northern Durban residents reflect a broad spectrum of voter motivations, ranging from frustration over inadequate infrastructure to satisfaction with historical progress and a unified hope for future improvements.
Polling stations officially opened at 7:00 a.m. and are scheduled to close at 9:00 p.m.
