IEC elections team preparing to welcome voters at various stations in Polokwane
In Ward 17 of Polokwane, in Seshego, hundreds of registered voters are expected to cast their ballots in Wednesday’s local government elections.
Alpha Ramushwana
The voting station in Polokwane at Masedibu High School. Picture: Simphiwe Nkosi/EWN
Simphiwe Nkosi/EWN
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC)’s elections team is preparing to welcome voters at various stations in Polokwane, Limpopo, as residents head to the polls on Wednesday.
In Ward 17 of Polokwane, in Seshego, hundreds of registered voters are expected to cast their ballots in Wednesday’s local government elections.
At this stage, the African National Congress (ANC) has already set up its gazebos outside the voting station as the party seeks to retain its electoral majority in Polokwane and hold onto this ward.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has also established its presence in the area, with the party hoping to make inroads and ultimately clinch control of the city.
In the 2021 local government elections, the ANC emerged as the dominant party in Polokwane, securing 58% of the vote, while the EFF came in second with 22%.
However, electoral trends have pointed to a decline in the ANC’s support, raising the question of whether the party could now fall below the 50% mark.
While Polokwane remains a traditional ANC stronghold, it is also the birthplace and hometown of EFF leader Julius Malema.
Malema enjoys considerable support in the city, particularly in his home township of Seshego.
He is expected to cast his vote here in Seshego at the Mponegele Primary School.
But beyond the political contest, residents here are also grappling with a number of service delivery challenges, with water scarcity being one of the most pressing.