On this solemn day, as South Africa observes the 2026 Local Government Elections, the Free State Legislature calls upon every eligible citizen to reflect deeply on the weight, meaning, and power of their vote.
A Message from the Free State Legislature
To the People of the Free State,
On this solemn day, as South Africa observes the 2026 Local Government Elections, the Free State Legislature calls upon every eligible citizen to reflect deeply on the weight, meaning, and power of their vote.
The Background of Our Democratic Journey
We must never forget the profound historical background that brought us to this moment. The universal right to a secret ballot was not given lightly. It was earned through decades of struggle, resilience, and the ultimate sacrifice of countless compatriots who dreamt of a South Africa built on equality, justice, and self-determination. Section 19 of our Constitution’s Bill of Rights stands as a sacred covenant, guaranteeing that every citizen has a voice in shaping the state. To vote is to honour that legacy and to safeguard the hard-won freedom that allows us to determine our own destiny.
Reflecting on the Gains Made
Since the dawn of democracy in 1994, our country and province have made fundamental gains. We have established institutional frameworks that give local communities a direct say in their governance. Through the mechanism of municipal elections, we have shifted from an oppressive, exclusionary past to a constitutional democracy where local councils are directly accountable to the public. The progress we have achieved in expanding public participation, building public institutions, and ensuring representation for all communities forms the bedrock of our local governance.
The Sacred Duty of the Vote
Local government is the sphere of the state closest to your daily life. It impacts our homes, our livelihoods, and the future of our children. To abstain from voting is to allow others to dictate the quality of life, the development, and the governance of your community.
As a Legislature tasked with oversight and public participation, we urge you to exercise your democratic right with the utmost seriousness, respect, and responsibility. Let us honour our past, secure our present, and build an accountable future for the Free State.
Go out and make your mark. Your vote is your voice, and our democracy depends on it.
Issued by the Office of the Secretary
Mr Sipho Mhlambi
siphom@fsl.gov.za
(w) fsl.gov.za
(f) Free State Legislature
(in) LinkedIn
Category: Statements
Date: 4 November 2026
