How South Africa’s new ward boundaries could affect voters in 2026

The Municipal Demarcation Board has completed its nationwide ward delimitation process ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections, increasing the number of wards from 4,468 to 4,488.

Ward boundaries matter because they affect where people vote, who they vote for, which ward councillor candidates appear on the ballot and how communities are represented in councils. Some voters may now fall into different wards or voting districts, which means journalists should help audiences understand what has changed and why it matters.

The MDB reviews and delimits wards every five years before local government elections. The purpose is to take account of population movement and to help equalise the number of registered voters in wards within each municipality.

For journalists, the final ward lists are a useful reporting tool. They can be used to check which wards have changed, where new wards have been created and how boundary changes may affect local political contests. Reporters can also use the lists to ask practical questions: do voters know their ward has changed? Are voting stations affected? Are political parties and independent candidates organising around the new boundaries?

These are service journalism stories that matter directly to readers.

The final ward information can be found on the Municipal Demarcation Board website.