How well do Mangaung residents understand the voting process?

That question took centre stage on Wednesday, 19 August 2026, when the Speaker of Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, Cllr Dr Lawrence Mathae, officially launched the municipality’s Voter Education Roadshow at Norman Dubell Hall in Heidedal, Bloemfontein.

The roadshow will be rolled out across all seven regions of Mangaung as part of efforts to equip residents with the knowledge they need ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.

The launch provided an opportunity for a two-way engagement between residents and electoral officials, focusing on common challenges experienced by voters. These included understanding the different types of elections, the number of ballot papers voters receive and how to correctly mark a ballot paper.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) guided a packed hall through the voting process, explaining how it begins, proceeds and concludes, as well as the rules governing elections. Residents were also given clarity on why Mangaung falls under the “two-ballot” electoral system.

The IEC was joined by the Master of the High Court, Mangaung ward councillors, traditional leaders, Centlec, Human Settlements, the Financial Indigent Registration Office and external stakeholders, including FNB and Nedbank.

Delivering the keynote address, Mathae urged residents to recognise the power of their vote and their responsibility to hold elected representatives accountable.

“I am very grateful that we are here, all of us, to launch this event,” said Mathae. “We can decide who to vote and not to vote for. We can decide to exchange ideas because we are in different ward committees.”

He said residents had the right to demand quality service delivery from government and to replace leaders through the ballot box when they failed to meet their expectations.

“When we are registered, we have a right to criticise the government because it is us who elected them,” Mathae said.

His remarks echoed the theme of the 2026 Local Government Elections: “Your Vote. Your Voice. Your Future.”

The event also featured legendary Mangaung thespians Jerry Phele and Kgotso Nkgatho, who entertained residents with a skit encouraging citizens to turn out in large numbers to vote, just as they do when taking to the streets to protest or march.

The roadshow is expected to continue across Mangaung’s seven regions, taking voter education directly to communities ahead of the elections.