The MDB is rolling out the ward delimitation process in preparation of the 2026 local government elections (LGE). The MDB delimits wards every five years preceding the local government elections (LGE) in compliance with the Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998, schedule 1 as amended (MSA). The plan is to hand-over the final wards to the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) towards the end of the year.

The education and awareness drive on the ward delimitation process commenced in July 2024 to allow members of the public and stakeholders sufficient time to understand the process and be able to participate effectively and make informed inputs. The education and awareness programme was followed by the technical consultations which commenced in November 2024 and scheduled to be completed by March 2025. The intention of the technical consultations is for the MDB to meet with municipal councillors and officials responsible for planning to assist the MDB with preparation of the draft wards.

Subsequently, the MDB will conduct the nationwide public consultations starting from April to June 2025. During these consultations, the MDB will be able to obtain views from members of the public, before the Board delimits and finalises the wards.

“We encourage all members of the public to actively participate and air their views on the draft wards during the upcoming public consultation campaign. During July 2025, we will publish the wards and invite members of the public to submit objections before the wards are finalised and handed over to the IEC.”, said Thabo Manyoni, Chairperson of the Board.

 To this end the National launch of the public consultations will take place in April 2025, to raise awareness and encourage members of the public to get fully involved during the public consultations period.

Update on deffered cases

The Chairperson of the Board, Mr Thabo Manyoni has been on a roadshow to meet with Premiers and key stakeholders impacted by the 13 deferred cases on municipal outer boundaries. These consultations will be conducted until end of March 2025.

Given the critical nature of the cases, the MDB resolved to conduct further research and consultations with key stakeholders to obtain cogent insights on the proposed municipal boundary re-determinations.

Thereafter, should the MDB decides to re-determine the boundaries, the normal redetermination process will unfold accordingly from April 2025 until completed in September 2025.

It should be underscored that if the MDB resolves not to re-determine municipal boundaries as proposed, the ward delimitation process for the affected municipalities will commence immediately thereafter. However, if the MDB resolves to proceed and re-determine municipal boundaries, the ward delimitations for the municipalities affected will commence from October 2025 and be concluded in December 2025. In essence, the final wards for the municipalities affected by the new re-determinations will then be handed over to the IEC in January 2026.