Checked 21 October 2026
Where the meanings of our words come from
Every meaning, with the sources we used. We save a copy of each source on the day we read it.
What the words mean
Goods or services
Things given to a party instead of cash. Examples are paying its bills, lending it things to use, or paying for a venue or staff.
South African Government. Published 23 January 2019.
Where to look: Section 1, page 4: 'donation in kind' includes money paid on behalf of the party for its expenses, and the provision of assets, services or facilities for the party's use other than on commercial terms
Ballot paper
The paper you mark with an X to vote. You get 2 in a metro and 3 everywhere else.
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Page is undated; read 21 October 2026.
Where to look: Step 4 'Get your ballot papers': voters in metros and local councils receive two ballot papers; voters in areas that form part of a district council receive a third. Step 6: 'place your X in the box'
Coalition
Parties that agree to run a council together, usually because none has more than half the seats alone. Together they choose the mayor.
Daily Maverick. Published 7 October 2026.
Where to look: Section 'Coalition politics no longer an exception': 80 of 213 councils 'were hung at some point, meaning no single party held a majority'; section 'Key risk is excluding the biggest party': a coalition 'can still be legitimate if it commands a majority'
Council
The group of elected people who make decisions for a municipality. They pass its budget and choose the mayor.
Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. Page is undated; read 21 October 2026.
Where to look: Section 151(2), PDF page 78: the executive and legislative authority of a municipality is vested in its Municipal Council; section 160(2)(b), PDF page 83: the approval of budgets may not be delegated by a Municipal Council
South African Government. Published 18 December 1998.
Where to look: Section 55(1), PDF page 23: a municipal council elects an executive mayor from among its members
Councillor
A person elected to make decisions for a municipality, such as the budget and who the mayor is. Each one holds one seat.
South African Government. Published 18 December 1998.
Where to look: Section 22(1), PDF page 15: a metro or local council consists of councillors elected by voters; section 55(1), PDF page 23: the council elects the executive mayor from among its members
Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. Page is undated; read 21 October 2026.
Where to look: Section 160(2)(b), PDF page 83: the approval of budgets is a council decision that may not be delegated
District council
A council over several local municipalities. It runs services for the whole area. There are 44. Voters outside the metros also vote for it.
South African Government. Published 18 December 1998.
Where to look: Section 23(1), PDF page 15: a district council includes councillors elected by voters to represent parties and councillors appointed by the local councils in the district
Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. Page is undated; read 21 October 2026.
Where to look: Section 155(1)(c), PDF page 79: a category C municipality has municipal executive and legislative authority in an area that includes more than one municipality
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Page is undated; read 21 October 2026.
Where to look: Paragraph beginning 'An unprecedented 136 790 candidates': 8 metropolitan, 44 district and 205 local municipalities
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Page is undated; read 21 October 2026.
Where to look: Step 4: voters in areas which form part of a district council receive a third ballot paper for the district council election
IEC
The Electoral Commission of South Africa. It runs elections. It is independent, so it does not take orders from the government or any party.
Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. Page is undated; read 21 October 2026.
Where to look: Section 181(1)(f) and (2), PDF page 96: the Electoral Commission is independent, subject only to the Constitution and the law, and must be impartial; section 190(1)(a), PDF page 100: it must manage elections
South African Government. Published 4 October 1996.
Where to look: Section 3(1) and (2), PDF page 3: independent and impartial; section 9(2)(b), PDF page 5: no member may support or oppose any party or candidate in an election
Independent
A person who stands for election without a party. In local elections they can only stand in a ward.
South African Government. Published 11 July 2000.
Where to look: Section 16(1) and (2)(b), PDF page 10: a person may be nominated for a ward by a registered party or by a resident voter, and then stands as an independent ward candidate; section 13(1), PDF page 9: only registered parties may submit a party list
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Page is undated; read 21 October 2026.
Where to look: Section 3 'Who can contest what': Independent candidates, Ward elections: Yes, PR elections: No
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Page is undated; read 21 October 2026.
Where to look: Page text: 'Municipal elections allow for individuals to stand as candidates in wards'
Local municipality
A municipality for a town or rural area outside the metros. There are 205.
South African Government. Published 18 December 1998.
Where to look: Section 1, definition of 'local municipality', PDF page 8: a municipality that shares municipal executive and legislative authority in its area with a district municipality (category B)
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Page is undated; read 21 October 2026.
Where to look: Paragraph beginning 'An unprecedented 136 790 candidates': 8 metropolitan, 44 district and 205 local municipalities
Manifesto
A party's written list of its plans and promises for an election.
EWN. Published 16 May 2024.
Where to look: Paragraph 1: an election manifesto serves as a blueprint, outlining the policies a political party pledges to enact should they be elected into office; later paragraphs on voters reading manifestos and some being written only in English
Mayor
The leader of the municipality. Councillors choose this person, not voters. So the seats each party wins decide who can lead.
South African Government. Published 18 December 1998.
Where to look: Section 55(1), PDF page 23: a municipal council elects an executive mayor from among its members
Metro
A big city with one council for the whole city, such as Johannesburg or Cape Town. There are 8. Voters there get 2 ballot papers.
South African Government. Published 18 December 1998.
Where to look: Section 1, definition of 'metropolitan municipality', PDF page 8: a municipality that has exclusive executive and legislative authority in its area (category A)
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Page is undated; read 21 October 2026.
Where to look: Paragraph beginning 'An unprecedented 136 790 candidates': 8 metropolitan municipalities; section 'Top municipalities with the highest number of PR candidates' names Johannesburg and Cape Town
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Page is undated; read 21 October 2026.
Where to look: Step 4: voters in metros and local councils receive two ballot papers
MP (Member of Parliament)
A person who sits in Parliament, which makes South Africa's laws. They are not chosen in this local election.
Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. Page is undated; read 21 October 2026.
Where to look: Section 43(a), PDF page 27: the national legislative authority is vested in Parliament; section 46(1), PDF page 30: the National Assembly consists of women and men elected as members under a national electoral system
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Page is undated; read 21 October 2026.
Where to look: Step 4 'Get your ballot papers': the ballot papers in this election are for a ward councillor, a party for the council and, outside the metros, a party for the district council
Municipality
The local government for your area. It looks after local services, such as water, rubbish removal and local roads. There are 257.
Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. Page is undated; read 21 October 2026.
Where to look: Section 151(1), PDF page 78: the local sphere of government consists of municipalities; section 156(1)(a), PDF page 80, with Schedule 4 Part B, PDF page 141 ('Water and sanitation services') and Schedule 5 Part B, PDF page 143 ('Municipal roads'; 'Refuse removal, refuse dumps and solid waste disposal')
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Page is undated; read 21 October 2026.
Where to look: Paragraph beginning 'An unprecedented 136 790 candidates': 8 metropolitan, 44 district and 205 local municipalities (257 in all)
Parliament
South Africa's national law-makers, in Cape Town. It has two parts, the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces.
Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. Page is undated; read 21 October 2026.
Where to look: Section 42(1), PDF page 27: Parliament consists of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces; section 42(6): the seat of Parliament is Cape Town; section 43(a): the national legislative authority is vested in Parliament
Party
A group of people who stand for election together, with shared plans.
South African Government. Published 18 December 1998.
Where to look: Schedule 1, item 10, PDF page 35: a list of candidates may be submitted by a registered political party
South African Government. Published 11 July 2000.
Where to look: Section 13(1), PDF page 9: only registered parties may contest an election, by submitting a party list, nominating ward candidates or both
Party ballot (PR)
You vote for a party, not a person. This vote decides how many council seats each party gets. PR stands for proportional representation.
South African Government. Published 18 December 1998.
Where to look: Section 22(1)(a), PDF page 15: councillors elected to proportionally represent the parties that contested the election
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Page is undated; read 21 October 2026.
Where to look: Step 4: one ballot paper for a political party as part of the PR section of the election
Presiding officer
The official in charge of a voting station. Ask them if you need help or make a mistake.
South African Government. Published 11 July 2000.
Where to look: Section 28(1)(a), PDF page 12: the presiding officer must manage, co-ordinate and supervise the voting at the voting station
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Page is undated; read 21 October 2026.
Where to look: Sections 'Physically disabled voters' (the Presiding Officer can also help you cast your vote) and 'Incorrect ballots' (ask the Presiding Officer for a new ballot paper)
Register of Members' Interests
Parliament's public list where each MP must write down gifts, trips, paid work and shares, and who gave them. Anyone can read it.
Parliament of the Republic of South Africa. Published 30 June 2026.
Where to look: Cover page ('Register of Members' Interests, 30 June 2026'); each member's entry, for example 1.1 Meshoe, PDF page 16: headings 1 Shares and other financial interests, 2 Remunerated employment or work outside of Parliament, 5 Sponsorships, 6 Gifts and hospitality, 8 Travel
Registered
Your name is on the voters' roll. Registration for this election closed on 7 August 2026.
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Page is undated; read 21 October 2026.
Where to look: Section 'Inspection of the provisional voters' roll', paragraph 1: the roll closes at midnight; no new registrations or changes to registration details accepted
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Page is undated; read 21 October 2026.
Where to look: Step 2: the door controller gives you a slip that confirms that you are a registered voter; step 3: officials check for your name on the voters' roll
Seat
A place on the council, held by one councillor. A party with more votes gets more of these places.
South African Government. Published 18 December 1998.
Where to look: Section 22(1), PDF page 15 (councillors proportionally represent the parties) and Schedule 1, item 13 'Allocating seats', PDF page 36 (seats shared by each party's votes)
Special vote
An early vote on 2 or 3 November, for people who applied in time. Applications are closed.
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Page is undated; read 21 October 2026.
Where to look: Paragraph 1 (applications close at 17h00 on Monday 12 October 2026) and last paragraph before '-ENDS-' (approved special votes cast on 2 and 3 November 2026)
Voters' roll
The official list of everyone who can vote, and where each person votes.
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Page is undated; read 21 October 2026.
Where to look: Step 3: officials check for your name and identity number on the segment of the national common voters' roll for that voting district
South African Government. Published 11 July 2000.
Where to look: Section 47(1)(a), PDF page 18: a voter may vote only at the voting station in the voting district in which that voter is registered
Voting station
The place where you vote, often a school or a hall. You can only vote at the one where you are registered.
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Page is undated; read 21 October 2026.
Where to look: Step 1: most voting stations are in community buildings like local schools, churches or community centres; find the correct station for the voting district in which you are registered
South African Government. Published 11 July 2000.
Where to look: Section 47(1)(a), PDF page 18: a voter may vote only at the voting station in the voting district in which that voter is registered
Ward
A small area inside a municipality. Each one elects one councillor.
South African Government. Published 18 December 1998.
Where to look: Section 22(1)(b), PDF page 15: councillors elected by voters in the respective wards to directly represent the wards
Ward councillor
A person chosen by the voters of one ward to speak for that area on the council. You vote for them by name.
South African Government. Published 18 December 1998.
Where to look: Section 22(1)(b), PDF page 15: councillors elected by the voters in the respective wards to directly represent the wards
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Page is undated; read 21 October 2026.
Where to look: Step 4: one ballot paper for a ward councillor; step 6: place your X next to the candidate of your choice
Embassy
A country's main office in another country. It speaks for its own government there.
United Nations. Published 18 April 1961.
Where to look: Article 3(1)(a): a diplomatic mission's functions include representing the sending State in the receiving State
Consulate
A smaller office of a country in another country. It helps its own citizens and gives visas and passports.
United Nations. Published 24 April 1963.
Where to look: Article 5(a), (d) and (m): consular functions include protecting the sending State's nationals, issuing passports and travel documents to them, and visas to others
Ambassador
The top person a country sends to speak for it in another country.
United Nations. Published 18 April 1961.
Where to look: Article 14(1)(a): heads of mission are of three classes, the first being ambassadors or nuncios accredited to Heads of State
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