By Nkhensani Chauke
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is set to welcome 51,000 registered voters for the highly anticipated Thabazimbi Local Municipality by-elections next Wednesday, following the council’s dissolution in August.
This announcement follows the commission’s media briefing on Thursday, outlining its readiness for the December 4, 2024, by-elections.
Thabazimbi is divided into 12 wards and 57 voting districts, with the by-elections scheduled to take place across all the wards.
Limpopo Provincial Electoral Officer Nkaro Mateta told reporters that the municipality comprises 24 seats, split between ward-based and proportional representation seats.
“There are a total of 24 seats for the municipality, 12 are remote seats and 12 proportional representation seats,” she said.
Mateta confirmed that lease agreements for all 57 voting stations have been finalised and the addresses of these stations for the upcoming by-elections have been published.
She added that the municipality’s population stands at approximately 64,993 residents, with a notable 51,399 registered voters.
“Among the registered voters, there are over 20,000 female voters and nearly 30,000 male voters, which may be attributed to our mining town demographic. Most importantly, more than 1,300 new voters aged 18 to 19, who did not participate in the 2024 general elections, will also cast their ballots for the first time in these by-elections,” she said.
The municipality’s highest population originated from ward 5 exceeding 6 thousand, followed by ward 8 with 5 741 voters, while ward 9 has 5 221registered voters.
Mateta highlighted the importance of interacting with various stakeholders within the preparations, including political parties, independent candidates, and government agencies in the province, community organisation and voters in the municipality.
“Several civic education activities have been held across the 12 wards in Thabazimbi, with commission officials conducting daily sessions to reach over 51,000 registered voters. These efforts aimed to ensure that community members are fully informed about the electoral process and understand why and how they should exercise their democratic rights,” she told reporters.
Mateta said to succeed in the elections, a political party should focus on middle aged individuals, typically between 30-49 years old.
21 political parties are contesting these elections, with the Democratic Alliance (DA), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), African National Congress (ANC) and Joseph Mathunjwa’s Labour Party Of South Africa being some of the parties on the list.
She added that 349 electoral personnel are receiving training, who will oversee the electoral process at all voting stations, which will be completed in 29 November 2024.
“A total of 57 presiding officers have been appointed, and their names have been submitted to political parties and independent candidates. No objections were received. Special vote applications, including home and voting station visits, opened on November 18 and closed on November 22.”
“Of the 4,747 approved applications, 665 are home visits, and 4,082 are special votes at the stations. Home visits are for those unable to travel to the stations, while special votes are for registered citizens who cannot visit the stations. Special votes and home visits will take place on December 3,” she said.
EFF leader Carl Niehaus on the campaign trail in Thabazimbi. PHOTO: X
Campaigning is in full swing as the MK Party, Labour Party Of South Africa, EFF, and DA compete for the attention of local residents.
In the past 24 hours, notable leaders visiting the area included MK Deputy President John Hlophe, EFF Limpopo Chairperson Lawrence Mapoulo, ANC NEC deployee David Mahlobo, and DA Leader John Steenhuisen, who rallied supporters on Sunday, presenting his party’s vision for the future.
The MK Party followed on Wednesday, sending representatives to engage with voters, while the EFF energized the community with their signature berets and lively rallies, drawing significant crowds.
DA Campaign Manager Desiree Van Der Walt told Inside Metros that her party was using social media platforms and personal interactions to engage with voters in Thabazimbi.
Van Der Walt said that the DA sets realistic targets based on the needs of the people.
“The party aims to increase the number of DA councillors and ensure the municipality meets residents’ needs, including essential services like water and electricity,” said Van der Walt.
With a focus on clean governance and qualified municipal staff, Van Der Walt said she was satisfied with the positive feedback the DA was receiving from residents frustrated by poor service delivery.
SANCO Provincial Deputy Secretary Sipho Dikgale told Inside Metros the ANC was confident about its prospects in the by-elections, with a strong ground campaign that included door-to-door engagement across key wards.
Dikgale noted that past voting patterns favor the ANC, and the party is optimistic about securing a decisive victory.
“The ANC’s priorities include resolving the water crisis, settling outstanding municipal debts, and ensuring full service delivery,” said Dikgale.
Dikgale said that the ANC’s candidates have been well received, and voters are expected to return the party to power with an outright majority.
MK Deputy Chief Whip Muzi Ntshingila told Inside Metros that the MK’s preparation for the by-elections, which includes volunteers in all wards, an operational data center, and the training of party agents.
Ntshingila said the MK was focused on fixing the water issue and creating job opportunities through infrastructure development.
Limpopo MEC for COGHSTA, Masedi Molebatsi hoped for a free, fair, and incident-free election, aiming to establish a credible Municipal Council that will deliver sustainable services to Thabazimbi.
After the elections, Molebatsi hopes for a functional and efficient municipal council that can meet the needs of the community.
“As election day approaches, the stakes are high, with each party focusing on service delivery, job creation, and resolving long-standing issues affecting the municipality,” said Molebatsi.
MK Party deputy president Dr. Hlophe on the campaign trail in Thabazimbi. PHOTO: X
Political analysts say over the past 30 years, Thabazimbi has primarily voted for the ANC.
However, in 2019 and 2021, the DA gained popularity without securing a majority.
Despite efforts by both parties to form coalitions, major renewal and improvements in service delivery have not materialized.
Political observers say issues like housing, unemployment, and service delivery persist, with the municipality heavily reliant on economic contributions from mines, game farms, agriculture, and government subsidies.
In October, after nearly four years of ineffective coalitions and political infighting between the ANC and DA, Premier Phophi Ramathuba and the NCOP dissolved the municipality.
Before this decision, two mayors and parallel administrative structures were running while the municipality struggled to pay staff and bills, exacerbating service delivery problems.
Over the past 12 years, the municipality has seen 13 municipal managers take office and leave after short stints.
Thabazimbi also owes Eskom over R300 million due to repeated defaults.
Since the municipality’s dissolution, some improvements have been seen with less political interference. However, the upcoming municipal election on December 4th represents the first full municipal vote since the GNU took office in July 2024.
Observers say Thabazimbi, with around 51,000 registered voters, has a male-dominated voter base. Historically, voter turnout has been very low, with less than 20,000 voters participating and voter participation rates consistently below 50% compared to the rest of Limpopo.
ANC NEC member and Convenor of NEC deployees to Limpopo David Mahlobo engaging with the leadership of the ANC Ward 5 branch ahead of the door-to-door campaign in Thabazimbi. PHOTO: X
INSIDE METROS