By Everson Luhanga
- The first workshop will be held on 17 November at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park for Gauteng-based candidates and media.
- The workshops aim to support new political parties and independents with the knowledge they need to contest elections.
The Electoral Commission is rolling out a series of workshops to help people who want to run in the 2026 local government elections.
Spokesperson Kate Bapela said the workshops will give training and guidance to new political parties, unrepresented groups and independent candidates. “They will help these hopefuls understand the rules, requirements and processes they must follow to appear on the ballot,” said Bapela.
He said the first session will take place tomorrow, 17 November, at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park. It will mark the start of a countrywide campaign to prepare new contestants for the elections.
Bapela said the workshops are in line with a recent announcement by the Electoral Commission’s deputy chief executive at a media briefing. At the time, he said the goal was to assist new candidates and parties in every way possible.
“So far, 62 new political parties have registered. Across the country, there are now 508 registered political parties, including those at national, provincial and metro level.”
Here is the full workshop schedule:
Gauteng: 17 November 2025
Eastern Cape: 18 November 2025 (East London)
Free State: 19 November 2025 (Bloemfontein)
Northern Cape: 20 November 2025 (Kimberley)
KwaZulu-Natal: 25 November 2025 (Durban)
Mpumalanga: 27 November 2025 (Mbombela)
Limpopo: 28 November 2025 (Polokwane)
North West: 2 December 2025 (Mahikeng)
Eastern Cape: 8 December 2025
Members of the media are allowed to attend and should contact Themba Gadebe on 081 522 6616 for more details about venues and logistics.
Pictured above: Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Mr Masego Sheburi
Image source: Electoral Commission
