South Africans will get an extra public holiday this year when they head to the polls for local government elections.

President Cyril Ramaphosa declared Wednesday, 4 November, a national public holiday to allow citizens to participate in the municipal elections. The declaration was made in terms of Section 2A of the Public Holidays Act, which gives the president power to declare a specific day a public holiday throughout the country by publishing a notice in the Government Gazette.

The president first announced the election date on 30 April during a meeting of the Presidential Coordinating Council. Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa formally proclaimed the date in the Government Gazette in August.

The move follows established precedent of designating election days as national holidays to help ensure maximum voter participation. South Africa has previously declared public holidays for general elections to make it easier for working citizens to cast their votes.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has confirmed it is ready to administer the election. The commission has set aside R2.1 billion for the upcoming local government elections.

Local government elections determine leadership in municipalities across the country. Voters will elect councillors who will govern their local areas for the next five years.

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