The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) says it has made major progress in preparing for the 2026 Local Government Elections (LGE), with key milestones achieved in voter registration, political party compliance, and consultation on possible electronic voting. In a media briefing on Tuesday, the Commission said more than 305 000 new voters registered between January and September 2025, while just over 60 000 updated their registration details. The IEC noted that September saw the highest number of new registrations,…

The African National Congress (ANC) has secured definitive victories in recent by-elections, reinforcing its appeal among voters and marking a moment of renewal for the party. Official confirmation from the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) adds credibility and transparency to the outcomes, highlighting the ANC’s ongoing grassroots strength. Earlier this year, the ANC held onto key wards in two by-elections: Ward 4 in the Emalahleni sub-region (Chris Hani Region, Eastern Cape) and Ward 34 in the Fetakgomo Tubatse sub-region (Sekhukhune Region,…

Two of South Africa’s most prominent political analysts have weighed in on the mushrooming of new political parties, warning that while the rise of fresh movements reflects democratic vibrancy, it also risks fragmenting the progressive left and weakening challenges to entrenched economic power. Political analyst Kim Heller told African Times that the proliferation of parties, especially those positioning themselves as progressive and black-led, may ironically strengthen the hand of the establishment rather than disrupt it. “The rise of progressive, black…

The General Secretary of the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) has reacted angrily to claims that he is behind the now-blocked attempt to register the civic organisation to contest the upcoming 2026 local government elections outside the ANC-led alliance. Mike Soko says the allegations are not true, as he is the one who wrote to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) to object when they learnt that there is an attempt to register the civic movement as a…

The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO), has thwarted yet another attempt to have it registered as a political party and contest the elections outside the ANC-led alliance. This comes after it learnt that Dr Zukile Luyenge, its former chairperson in the Eastern Cape, has been trying to register the civic organisation as such. After learning about the attempt, Miko Soko, SANCO’s General Secretary, wrote to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) to object. “Dear Mr. Mamabolo, It is…

There is a war raging—not of guns, but of manipulated images, falsified polls, weaponised perception, and manufactured narratives. This war is not fought on the battlegrounds of constitutionally sanctioned contestation, but through a deceptive campaign of disinformation led by the Democratic Alliance (DA) and its cohorts in business and media. It is a war camouflaged as democratic engagement, yet it undermines the very ethos of our post-apartheid constitutional order. What we are witnessing is a nefarious recycling of colonial and…

Limpopo African National Congress (ANC) Secretary Reuben Madazhe faces a corruption case after he accepted a luxury car bought by a private company that later won a R15 million state contract.  In January 2023, Chobedi Construction, owned by businessman Dr Moloto Mokwele, purchased the R1.6 million BMW X5 in which Madadzhe cruises. Madadzhe is the administrative head of South Africa’s governing party, the ANC, in the country’s northern region of Limpopo. The vehicle was later registered under Limpopo ANC, but Chobedi…