President Cyril Ramaphosa Addresses the Nation on IEC Results

President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation at the Independent Electoral Commission's (IEC) National Results Operations Centre (ROC) at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand on Sunday evening. The address came as the final results of the 2026 Local Government Elections were announced. Ramaphosa's speech focused on the state of South Africa's democracy, the responsibilities facing newly elected councillors, and the need for political parties to work together.

Ramaphosa highlighted that millions of South Africans exercised their right to vote in the recent elections, with many casting their ballots for the first time. He emphasized that the right to vote gives South Africa's democracy its legitimacy. The President celebrated the enduring strength of the country's democracy and the sovereign right of the people to choose their representatives. This year's elections mark 30 years since the Constitution was signed into law.

The President noted that the Constitution declares South Africa a multi-party democracy, with universal adult suffrage, a common voters' roll, and regular elections. Over 540 political parties and nearly 137,000 candidates participated in the elections, demonstrating the multi-party nature of South Africa's democracy. Ramaphosa stated that greater choice and more competition are signs of a healthy democracy, especially at a time when democracy is under strain in many parts of the world.

Ramaphosa acknowledged that South Africans face considerable challenges, including a high cost of living, unemployment, and inadequate municipal services. He emphasized that citizens want to live in communities where they feel safe, public infrastructure is maintained, businesses can flourish, and young people can look to the future with hope. The President stressed that these are basic requirements of a life of dignity.

The President emphasized that citizens judge government by the changes in their daily lives, not just by promises made or policies adopted. He quoted the great African leader Amilcar Cabral, who said that people fight to win material benefits, to live better and in peace, and to guarantee the future of their children. Ramaphosa noted that these aspirations remain relevant today.

Ramaphosa urged newly elected councillors to serve the communities that have placed their trust in them. He emphasized that their responsibility is not simply to occupy a seat in a council chamber but to listen to concerns, respond to needs, and act to address them with honesty and integrity. The President congratulated the incoming councillors and extended the nation's good wishes.

In municipalities where no political party has secured an outright majority, Ramaphosa called on elected representatives to find common ground and work together. He emphasized that this is not a weakness of democracy but an expression of the choices that the people have made. The President urged political parties to approach this responsibility with maturity, humility, and a genuine commitment to the public good.

Key points

• The President emphasized the importance of newly elected councillors serving the communities that have placed their trust in them.
• Ramaphosa called on political parties to work together in municipalities where no party has secured an outright majority.
• The President highlighted the enduring strength of South Africa's democracy and the sovereign right of the people to choose their representatives.