By Lebone Rodah Mosima
Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae cast her vote in Tweespruit on Wednesday, continuing a tradition spanning more than 30 years, as electoral officials reported that all 1,604 voting stations across the province had opened on time.
Voters in Tweespruit, in the Mantsopa Local Municipality, turned out in large numbers to cast their ballots in the 2026 Local Government Elections.
Letsoha-Mathae, who has voted in her hometown since South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994, was welcomed by residents queuing outside the voting station.
Speaking after casting her ballot, Letsoha-Mathae said she was proud to exercise a democratic right secured through decades of struggle and sacrifice.
She said voting remained an important responsibility and welcomed the turnout in her hometown.
“For over 30 years, without fail, I have been casting my vote here at home, in Tweespruit,” Letsoha-Mathae said.
“This is a tradition I have always upheld. I am encouraged to see people coming out in their numbers to cast their votes.”
She urged Free State residents to participate in the elections, saying voting allowed citizens to influence the direction of their communities.
“If you do not mandate anyone to serve, by not voting, you forfeit your right to shape the society you want to see and, with that, the moral authority to complain when things are not to your satisfaction,” she said.
Free State Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Thabang Lesia, who was also present, said no serious incidents had been reported at any of the province’s voting stations.
Lesia said police had been deployed across the province to maintain security during voting.
Among those casting their ballots in Tweespruit was Paballo Salam, a Grade 11 learner at Tweespruit Combined School, who voted for the first time.
Salam, who lives in Borwa, Tweespruit, said government assistance provided to disadvantaged learners had influenced her decision to participate in the elections.
She said she had witnessed how government programmes had supported pupils from low-income households.
“Many of my school mates, whose parents are not well off, have received shoes and uniform from government,” Salam said.
“We also receive food so no child goes hungry at school.”
Letsoha-Mathae welcomed the participation of young voters and pledged to intensify efforts to improve living conditions in the province.
“We commit to redoubling our efforts to improve the lives of our people,” Letsoha-Mathae said.
Meanwhile, Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) Free State provincial manager Itumeleng Liba confirmed that all 1,604 voting stations had opened on time.
Liba said more than 10,000 electoral staff members had been deployed across the province to assist voters.
“We have over 1.5 million registered voters and we hope that they will pitch up today, the weather looks fine,” Liba said.
“Until now there are no serious concerns and problems reported.”
He said the main challenge experienced during the morning was the slow operation of voter management devices at some voting stations.
However, inspections at several stations indicated that the situation had improved, while voters interviewed by electoral officials had expressed satisfaction with the voting process.
Liba said he hoped voting would continue without major disruptions until polling stations closed at 9pm.
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